Eric Martel, CEO of private jet maker Bombardier, attends the launch of the Global 8000 aircraft during the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 23.DENIS BALIBOUSE/Reuters
Bombardier Inc. BBD-B-T launched a new long-range business jet on Monday, as it looks to stay competitive in a market that serves the ultrarich and has remained robust amid COVID-19 driven boom in demand for private aircraft.
The Montreal-based plane maker said the Global 8000 will become the world’s fastest business jet with an ultralong range of 8,000 nautical miles (14,815 kilometres) and a top speed of Mach 0.94 (1,160 kilometres an hour).
The plane will enter service in 2025 and compete with high-end models offered by rivals General Dynamics and France’s Dassault Aviation – the Gulfstream G700 and Falcon 10X, respectively.
Bombardier said the Global 8000 will have a list price of US$78-million, slightly higher than the US$75-million which its predecessor and the company’s flagship Global 7500 lists for. Both rivals, the G700 and the Falcon 10X, are also priced at US$75-million.
The Global 8000 jet, which is of the same size as the 19-seater Global 7500, will come equipped with General Electric’s Passport Engine, Bombardier added.
Bombardier’s announcement comes as corporate jet makers have been reporting swelling order backlogs, as the wealthy continued flying private during the pandemic.
Bombardier’s current Global 7500 is expected to be the biggest contributor to its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization over the period ending 2025.
Be smart with your money. Get the latest investing insights delivered right to your inbox three times a week, with the Globe Investor newsletter. Sign up today.