Flexjet Reports 83 Percent Growth in New Business

-- As a result, Flexjet is hiring pilots to satisfy the increasing demand

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May 23, 2013, 03:00 ET

DALLAS, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- (www.flexjet.com) – Flexjet, the world's second largest fractional jet ownership services provider, reports new business growth of 83 percent when comparing Q1 2013 versus Q1 2012. During this period, sales of fractional shares grew 108 percent, while new jet card sales increased 48 percent. These positive reports follow new Flexjet President Deanna White's first six months at the company's helm.

"With the economy picking up speed, owners who have been tentative since the downturn have started to gain more confidence and are taking more and more trips," said Deanna White, President, Flexjet. "Having the Dow Jones Industrial Average reach a record-breaking 15,000 points is not only a significant financial milestone, but also very good for our industry. People are ready to get back to business, and Flexjet takes them there."

During the Easter travel weekend, Flexjet recorded flying hours at levels not seen since the height of the market in 2007. As a result, Flexjet is currently hiring pilots to satisfy the increasing demand.

"At Flexjet, we are focused on creating offerings that provide value and flexibility for our owners, such as the FlexShare and Coastal Connect programs," added Bruce Peddle, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Flexjet. "These products are contributing to the growth we experienced in the first quarter of this year."

This year, Flexjet celebrates its 10^th anniversary of managing the Challenger 300 aircraft, the world's best-selling super midsize jet, and the 50^th anniversary of Learjet, which is also owned by Bombardier. Flexjet is the first customer for the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft – the first business jet with both fuselage and wings built largely of carbon composite materials – with deliveries scheduled for summer 2014.

For more information about Flexjet, please call 1-800-FLEXJET or visit flexjet.com.

About Flexjet
Richardson, Texas-based Flexjet—a division of Bombardier, the world's largest business aviation manufacturer—first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995. Flexjet now offers whole aircraft ownership and management, fractional jet ownership, jet cards and charter brokerage services. Flexjet's fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation's Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 14^th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet's fractional program fields an exclusive family of Bombardier business aircraft—the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately five years—including the Learjet 40 XR, Learjet 45 XR, Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Challenger 605 business jets. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit www.flexjet.com.

Flexjet has an approved fractional ownership program pursuant 14 C.F.R. Part 91, Subpart K, and manages flights for individual aircraft owners under Part 91 whole aircraft management program.

All jet card flights are operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers. The Flexjet 25 Jet Card Program is operated under Part 135 by Jet Solutions, LLC, a U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC, in connection with the Flexjet 25 Jet Card program. With regard to all other jet card flights, Flexjet acts as an agent for the air carrier or the customer in arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by the U.S. air carrier. Flexjet acts as an agent for the customer with on-demand charter broker services when arranging transportation operated under Part 135 by U.S. air carriers.

About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we posted revenues of $16.8 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Bombardier, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Coastal Connect, Flexjet, Flexjet 25, FlexShare, Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 60, XR and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries

SOURCE Flexjet