US-based aircraft manufacturer Beechcraft has been awarded a $1.4bn contract for around 105 King Air 350i aircraft as well as associated maintenance services in North America and Western Europe.
The contract, representing the largest general aviation propeller-driven aircraft order in history, was awarded by Wheels Up, a US private aviation membership company established by Marquis Jet founder Kenny Dichter.
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The first 35 Beechcraft King Air 350is are scheduled to be delivered to Wheels Up by mid-2015, with the first nine deliveries to be made this year.
This deal also includes options for 70 additional aircraft as Wheels Up plans to expand nationally after initially focusing on the northeastern US.
Beechcraft chief executive officer Bill Boisture said that the Beechcraft King Air 350i is the perfect aircraft for Wheels Up due to its flexibility and efficiency for regional travel.
"The pairing of the 350i and support from our world-class maintenance organisation with the innovative founders and management team of Wheels Up is a winning combination," Boisture added.
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By GlobalDataKenny Dichter said: "We are excited to offer the King Air 350i for the first time on an exclusive basis in a national fleet format as Wheels Up redefines private aviation’s entry point."
The Wheels Up King Air 350i aircraft will feature special enhancements including state-of-the-art interiors, Wi-Fi connectivity and a luxury lavatory vanity top.
Beechcraft’s maintenance programme offers service for airframes, engines, avionics and propellers, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, labour, parts and consumables and mobile aircraft on ground support.
Image: The first 35 Beechcraft King Air 350is are scheduled to be delivered to Wheels Up by mid-2015. Photo: courtesy of Beechcraft Corporation.
