Bombardier Aerospace announced that its board of directors has given the go-ahead to expand the company’s family of Global aircraft—which now includes its Global 5000 and Global Express XLS, large-cabin, long-range business jets. Details of the expansion will be announced on Oct. 18 at this year’s National Business Aviation Association annual conference in Atlanta, which runs from Oct. 19 to 21.
“The Global aircraft family will build upon the existing successful Global 5000 and Global Express XRS jets in the large business aircraft category,” said Steve Ridolfi, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft. “We are focused on introducing aircraft that maximize efficiency while offering ultimate flexibility for our customers. They demand the best the world has to offer and Bombardier Global business aircraft deliver.”
The announcement adds fuel to rumors that Bombardier is planning to announce a larger version of the Global Express XRS—one that would directly compete with Gulfstream’s new G-650, a Mach 0.925, 7,000-nm ultra-long-range jet that would be its top-of-the-line model.