Qatar Executive flies its first VIP customers

Qatar Airways has begun the soft-launch of its on-demand charter division, Qatar Executive, with the introduction of two newly delivered Challenger 605 business jets.

The service has a dedicated website allowing premium customers to book an aircraft that can take them from Doha to Europe, Asia or within the region within four hours of the first call.

The new business was unveiled by Qatar Airways' chief executive Akbar Al Baker at the Paris air show. Qatar Executive is headed by former ProFlite president Ted Button.

It will operate the two new 11-seat Challenger 605s alongside an eight-seat Challenger 300 that was already owned by the airline. Qatar Airways' premium terminal at Doha serves as the FBO for passengers using the service.

Al Baker said the creation of Qatar Executive demonstrated the airline’s commitment to meet the needs of a premium market segment looking for more flexibility as well as value for money. “Despite the current global economic climate, there remains a strong need for the corporate to conduct face to face business meetings in the shortest possible time so travel is still important as is time management,” he said.

“Whether flying from Doha to Bahrain for a breakfast meeting and back, or continuing onwards to Dubai for lunch and further to Abu Dhabi for an early evening meeting before returning to Doha in time for dinner, the corporate jet makes all this possible with a hassle-free experience.”

Passengers are offered a check-in 10 minutes prior to take-off. The new web site offers personal onboard attention, comfort, fine dining and speed at which the aircraft flies ensure the experience is both rewarding and memorable.

The aircraft have a capability of flying up to nine hours to different continents as far as Europe, Africa and Asia. “We intend to build the fleet over time to provide even more choice to corporates.”

The Bombardier Challenger 300 and 605 aircraft feature eight and 11 leather seats respectively, which recline into fully berthable sleeping compartments. The interiors have premium fittings with plenty of space for meetings.

The new head, Ted Button, is a veteran of the aviation industry with more than 25 years experience in jet aircraft management in the United States and over 30 years as a pilot. “We know that the Middle East is underserved in the corporate aircraft segment, but by utilising the Five Star service of Qatar Airways as a model to build a new corporate jet venture is, we believe, the right way forward to capitalise on this key market,” he said.