MEBA2012: Gulfstream bullish over flagship models

Gulfstream now claims to have 2,050 aircraft in service, a fleet that has doubled in size since 2001, with a $16 billion order backlog.

The company’s worldwide growth is continuing – with expansion in Beijing, London, Westfield, Massachusetts, and Savannah, although there is a continuing shift away from the USA.

The company’s product line now ranges from the Gulfstream 150 and 280, each with four passengers, through the Gulfstream 450, 550 and 650, each carrying eight passengers over longer ranges.

The small Gulfstream 150 is able to reach Central Europe from Dubai, while the 650 reaches into the USA and Far East.

Gulfstream is looking at its best year with deliveries of 104 mid-size and 15 large green aircraft in 2012, compared to 90 mid-size and 17 large aircraft last year.

The third quarter has been the best of the year, driven by several multi-aircraft deals, and revenue was up 30% by comparison with the third quarter of 2011 ($1.8 billion compared to $1.4 billion), according to Scott Neal, the company’s senior vice president for sales and marketing.

Gulfstream is proud to be a founding member of MEBAA, and is working with it to communicate the benefits of business aviation to businesses, governments and the media.

The company claims 6% of the biz-jet market in the Middle East – albeit with 53% of the lucrative large-cabin market. This equates to 78 aircraft with 56 more in service in Africa.

The Gulfstream 650 is already gaining widespread acceptance in the Middle East, according to Trevor Esling, regional senior vice president international sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The company is investing heavily in support and has $1.4 billion in parts around the world, including $20 million of parts in Dubai.

There are Jet Aviation facilities in Dubai and Jeddah, and ExecuJet facilities in Dubai, while Gulfstream, itself, has field service support facilities in the UAE, Jordan and India.