US Business Jet Maker Nextant Targets ME Buyers

US-based business jet manufacturer Nextant Aerospace is hopeful that its Nextant 400XT will fly with Middle East buyers.

Directors have been promoting the remanufactured jet – which they claim costs half the amount of comparable aircraft (approximately $4.5 million) – to entrepreneurs and HNWIs in the UAE this week.

The aircraft seats up to eight passengers and has a range of 6,000nm – jets in this category typically fly 1,400nm – and its operating costs are €1,100 an hour, around 30 per cent less than similar jets.

Sean McGeough, president of Nextant Aerospace, said: “Historically Middle East buyers have liked large long-range aircraft but people are recognising the benefits of smaller models.”

He said it was hopeful of securing up to five orders this year from the Middle East.

Nextant delivered 25 400XTs to customers across six countries in the last year.