Flexjet, provider of fractional ownership aircraft, revealed that they had received an $1.4 billion firm order this morning at NBAA-BACE for 64 Embraer Phenom 300Es and Praetor 500/600s.
This will mark the fourth time that Flexjet has introduced new Embraer aircraft to the fractional market. Previous introductions were the Legacy 600 in 2003, Phenom 300 in 2010, and Legacy 450 in 2016. Its current Embraer contingent includes Phenom 300s and Legacy 450s.
“The spirit of innovation at Embraer keeps us coming back time and again because it dovetails perfectly with our commitment to provide the youngest, most modern fleet to our Owners,” said Flexjet Chief Executive Officer Michael Silvestro.
“These aircraft are sure to be crowd-pleasers with their extraordinarily long range and impressive speed for aircraft of their size.”
“The Legacy 450 is the mainstay of Flexjet’s midsize fleet,” Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Michael Amalfitano said.
“The Praetors are the most technologically advanced and most disruptive aircraft, created to dominate the midsize and super-midsize business jet market,” added Amalfitano.
“And we couldn’t be more delighted that Flexjet, our partner for more than a decade, is making the most modern aircraft available to its owners.”
Praetor 500 deliveries to Flexjet will start next month. Under the deal, the Cleveland, Ohio-based operator will also convert its Legacy 450 fleet into Praetor 500s under an FAA-approved modification.
In anticipation of this order, “Flexjet has been aggressive in recruiting pilots this year and recently met its 2019 goal of hiring 175 new pilots,” the fractional provider said.