Embraer has delivered the first jet in a fleet of Praetor 600s to Flexjet. The aircraft will be used for the company’s growing operations in Europe.
Flexjet is the Praetor fleet launch customer, having received the first-ever Praetor 500 less than a year ago, in December 2019. The deal, valued at up to $1.4 billion, was announced at NBAA-BACE 2019 and comprises a fleet of Praetor 600s, Praetor 500s, and Phenom 300s.
“We are honoured to further execute on our commitment to Flexjet, our esteemed partner of over 17 years, with the delivery of this first Praetor 600 to our long-standing fleet customer,” said Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets.
“We have spent the past three years laying the foundation to become a force in European private aviation, and we are proud to exceed the expectations of this valued market,” said Michael Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet.
“The Praetor 600, with its unparalleled technology, comfort, and performance, marked by class-leading, intercontinental range, rounds out the fleet that will help us to meet every possible need and desire of Flexjet Owners in Europe.”
Flexjet’s European Managing Director Marine Eugène leads the team headquartered at Flexjet House in the Mayfair neighborhood on the west end of London. In addition, Flexjet has opened facilities including a European Tactical Control Centre in the United Kingdom to coordinate flight logistics, an aircraft maintenance facility in Milan and Flexjet House, where an experience center envelops current and prospective Flexjet shared aircraft Owners.
“Flexjet has taken the time to lay the groundwork to properly serve those entering the shared aircraft ownership market in Europe,” said Eugène.
“Now that we have the infrastructure in place, we are growing our fleet with the addition of our new Praetor 600 aircraft. The Praetor 600 will form part of our Red Label by Flexjet offering, bringing to European-based travellers a unique combination of innovative technology, luxury and premium service. Our objective is to give owners the ability to travel not just in North America but throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East without leaving the safety and security of the Flexjet family.”
Embraer and Flexjet enjoy a long-standing, successful partnership. In 2003, Flight Options — which merged with Flexjet in 2015 — became the first fractional ownership program to introduce the Legacy Executive Jet. In 2010, they introduced the Phenom 300, and in 2012 the company took delivery of Embraer’s milestone 100th Phenom 300.
Then in 2015, Flexjet became the first fractional provider to offer the Legacy 500, later taking delivery of Embraer’s milestone 1000th business jet — a Legacy 500 — in 2016. The Legacy 450 then joined the Flexjet fleet in 2016.
With Embraer’s commitment to continually improving each of the four aircraft in its industry-leading business jet portfolio, recent updates to the Praetors include enhancements for cabin safety — a standard HEPA air filter, the MicroShield 360 cleaning solution, and electric lavatory pocket door — plus the certification of a synthetic vision guidance system (SVGS).
