Qatar Airways is to buy up to 20 jets from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp of the US for the Gulf airline’s private jet division, Qatar Executive.

The agreement was announced in conjunction with Gulfstream’s launch of an all-new family of business jets called the Gulfstream G500 and G600, at a ceremony on Tuesday at its plant in Savannah, Georgia.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU), Qatar Airways will order up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including firm orders and options for the all-new, wide-cabin G500 and the flagship G650ER.

The MoU marks the beginning of a new relationship between Qatar Airways and Gulfstream.

Akbar Al Baker, the Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, says: “Qatar Executive has been on an accelerated growth path since its inception and is held to an exceptional standard of quality that is widely known by our global clientele. In order to keep pace with the future strategic growth plans of our private jet division, the fleet is being expanded with aircraft that meet the needs of our guests, providing a wide range of options.

The announcement signals a next step for Qatar Executive's relatively young and buoyant history."

From its start in 2009, Qatar Executive has rapidly risen to become a leader in air charter services for individuals, families, businesses, corporations and governments. As part of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, Qatar Executive’s clients are assured an excellent charter experience.

“This agreement is evidence of the industry-leading performance of Gulfstream’s flagship aircraft, the G650ER, and of our commitment to deliver on the promises we have made for our new family of aircraft, which includes the G500,” said Larry Flynn, President, Gulfstream. “With their unmatched high-speed capabilities and class-leading cabin comfort, the G650ER and G500 will allow Qatar Airways to introduce a new level of service to their customers in the Middle East and abroad.”

The G500’s all-new design optimises speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency, and features new industry-leading safety technologies. The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 km at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach 0.90. The aircraft will link Doha, Qatar, nonstop with London, Geneva and Paris at Mach 0.90 and is expected to enter service in 2018.