Qatar Airways buys Bombardier GEX

This is an interesting diversification for a full-service airline...

Qatar Airways purchases two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets

Qatar Airways today purchased two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets aircraft and signed an option for two additional Global Express for regional and intercontinental VIP on-demand travel.

The aircraft will join Qatar Airways' large and growing Amiri VIP fleet, which currently includes high-end Airbus A340-200, A310-300, A320 and A319CJ aircraft. Three additional VIP aircraft, two A330-200 and an A340-500 will also shortly join the fleet.

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing international airlines in the world. Over the past 12 months, its fleet of aircraft has grown from 18 to 27, and is projected for continued growth. Qatar Airways presently flies to 46 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East, and will offer flights to 60 destinations within the next two years.

http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/31953.html

These aircraft will never see "airline" service.

The Qatari Head of State Flight Department is known as the Amiri Flight (not to be confused with Qatar Airways).

These aircraft will likely replace their Falcon 900s which are over 10 years old.

Unlike here in Canada, where changing Chretiens' old Challengers really upset the apple cart!

These aircraft will never see "airline" service.

Well, I do suppose it depends what is meant by "airline". I was just going by the news article that links both Qatar Airways with Amiri Flight. Maybe it's a little like Skyservice operations?

A few companies now have the GEX in their fleets here in Canada and are operating it under the 704 rules. That makes for a pretty nice commuter aircraft - sure beats the heck out of a B1900!

In the case of QR, you might ask, "which came first, Amiri Flight or the airline?" Actually, it was Amiri Flight which came first.

Perhaps it was a bit of an amalgamation, so your comparison would be a little like Skyservice. In a sense.

Amiri Flight has been around for many, many years providing transportation to the 'Royal Family' (so-to-speak) of Qatar and it's Gov't Ministers and VIPs. Let's remember, they're desert bedouin and I'll leave it to your own imagination to wonder where the term 'Royal' comes from. British wanabees (as in the Queen's Royal Flight) who first set the operation up, I believe. The fleet varied until recently with DA900, B707, B747 and A310.

Sheikh al Thani took over around 1995. The son of (guess who?) Sheikh al Thani. He sent his father into exile (Abu Dhabi) and took over the running of the country. Besides turning State run companies over to the people of Qatar he pulled out of Gulf Air and formed his own airline. This airline was originally tied to the Amiri Flight initially and launched with gigantic ambitions. (Let's remember this outfit has lots of loot behind it so profit and loss are not given the signifigance an Air Canada would) In the past 8 years this airline has reinvented itself several times and stands today as Qatar Airways with 'somewhat' of a plan for what it would like to one day become. We'll see.

For Security reasons, I'd say, the aircraft bear the same paint scheme and name. As for the tasking and passengers, the two are totally different.

Amiri Flight operates in support of the Qatar Gov't flying Ministers and Family members to wherever their hearts desire or State business dictates. To do that, the Falcons were due to be replaced. The GEX is an excellent choice and will undoubtedly serve them well in the role it will be called upon to play.

Just some background on the organization. FYI

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