NetJets Middle East Takes First Hawker

Raytheon Aircraft has kicked off its Farnborough 2000 activities with the delivery of the first of 14 new Hawker 800XP business jets ordered for NetJets' Middle East fractional ownership program.
National Air Service (NAS) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia placed the $170 million order in November 1999, and will operate the 14 aircraft on behalf of NetJets parent Executive Jet Aviation. Four of the Hawkers will be delivered this year, and the remainder through 2003.

NAS Chairman Yousef El-Maimani said the 14 Hawkers will be positioned in Jeddah for flights throughout the Middle East, Africa and Europe. NAS ordered a custom interior layout for its Hawkers, to accommodate seven passengers, plus a flight attendant and two pilots.

The NAS Hawker 800XP will be flown to its new home in Saudi Arabia after the show, but for now is one of six Raytheon business aircraft on static display at Farnborough 2000. The others include the 500th Beechjet (a 400A), a Beech 1900D, and King Air 90, 200 and 350 aircraft.

Raytheon chairman Daniel Burnham said he sees the Farnborough show as an opportunity to showcase the company's range of civil and military technology while strengthening ties with international partners.

Burnham and other Raytheon officials are conducting detailed briefings on specific Raytheon programs throughout the show.

By Paul Richfield