Rizon, the expanding Middle East executive charter company, has placed a firm order for four all new Bombardier Learjet 85 aircraft as part of its regional expansion strategy.

“The Learjet 85 is ideally sized for us to support our growing charter activity in the Middle East and to expand our operations into Europe,” said Rizon chief executive Will Curtis.

“It has all the benefits of the excellent Learjet 45 which has been such a popular charter aircraft, only with more space. It is certainly going to be a winner in the charter market, both in Europe and in the GCC,” he added.

The Learjet 85s will be an aircraft for all seasons for Rizon – serving the Middle East in the winter and Europe in the summer – mirroring the travel trends of Rizon’s regular clients, he remarked.

“Ultimately, we expect to base two of the Learjet 85s permanently in the UK, which will be an important base for us,” he added.

“We are very encouraged by Rizon’s confidence in the Learjet 85 aircraft, as well as our Challenger and Global products,” said Khader Mattar, regional vice-president, sales, Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Business Aircraft.

“As their business continues to expand from the Middle-East and Europe we will continue to provide the optimal aircraft to suit their clients’  travel needs,” he noted.

The new Learjet 85s, which can fly up to eight passengers over a 3,000 nm range, will join three Challenger 605 aircraft in the Rizon fleet.

The first of two coming from Bombardier is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2009. A third is coming from another source.

Rizon also has an order for one Global 5000 – due to arrive in 2011- and a second Hawker 900XP, scheduled for delivery in April 2009.

In September 2009 Rizon will open a brand new $20 million MRO and FBO facility at London Biggin Hill Airport.-TradeArabia News Service