Jet Aviation Adds 18 Aircraft

West Palm and Basle-based Jet Aviation, citing "unprecedented growth" in European and in Middle East and Far East markets, this year added 18 aircraft to its managed fleet, which now exceeds 150.

Ten aircraft were added during the first half of the year. Among the more recent Jet Aviation additions are three aircraft for the firm's European aircraft management division, including a McDonnell-Douglas MD-83 "configured for top-level VIP transportation in the Middle East," a Falcon 900EX for Europe, and a Bombardier Global Express, being outfitted now and due to enter service in the Far East in the first quarter of 2001.

Five aircraft have been added in the U.S. over the past two months. They are a Falcon 50 and a Falcon 2000, a Gulfstream IV, a Bombardier Challenger 600 and a Hawker 700. The U.S. fleet of Jet Aviation-managed aircraft now numbers 80.

Jet Aviation reminds NBAA attendees that it's the "only global business aviation service company," with more than 3,500 employees in more than 30 locations in North and South America, Europe, and the Middle and Far East. It's the world's largest operator of Gulfstreams (36 aircraft), Falcon Jets (25) and Challengers (22). Jet Aviation logged more than 40,000 charter hours last year.