Boeing Business Jets bags ninth order from Ocean Sky

Geneva: Ocean Sky Aviation, a fast growing European private jet charter business, has announced an order for a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), worth $51 million at list price. The new order brings the total number of Boeing business jets sold this year to nine.

Earlier this week, Boeing Business Jets had announced that it had won new orders for six BBJs and two 787 VIP airplanes. The order for the last 787 VIP was from Hong Kong real estate tycoon Joseph Lau, and is valued at approximately $153 million at today's list price.

Meanwhile the BBJ ordered by Ocean Sky, a premier London-based private jet charter company, will be used to fly its select clientele to a wide range of worldwide destinations.

According to Boeing, premium charter companies represent approximately 10 per cent of the Boeing Business Jets customer base.

"We are convinced that the BBJ is the right tool to help Ocean Sky grow its business. The BBJ provides the ultimate in space and luxurious comfort and will undoubtedly delight Ocean Sky customers," said Boeing Business Jets president, Steven Hill, during a contract signing ceremony in Geneva.

The BBJ is a high-performance derivative of the next-generation 737-700 that offers 807 square feet of cabin space. Designed for VIP, government head-of-state and charter applications, the BBJ combines the size of the 737-700 fuselage with the strengthened wings and landing gear from the larger 737-800. The tailored combination provides owners with a business jet platform having maximum range capability of 6,200 nautical miles (11,482 kilometers) while requiring less than 6,000 feet (1,829 meters) of runway for flight operations.

"The 787 VIP is an extremely attractive jet for wealthy and successful entrepreneurs, especially in Asia where business is conducted over long distances. The 787 has it all - long-range capability, advanced technology and a spacious, comfortable cabin - attributes that are needed to conduct business around the world," said Steven Hill.

The VIP-configured 787-8 offers 2,404 square feet of cabin space. The first commercial 787 Dreamliner is scheduled to roll out of the Everett factory on July 8 this year.

Boeing Business Jets product line includes the BBJ, BBJ 2 and BBJ 3 airplane family, and Boeing wide body VIP airplanes, including the 787, 747-8, 777 and 767. Nearly 300 Boeing airplanes are in service in the VIP market.