Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) celebrated the start of customer deliveries of the segment leading Hawker 750. The Hawker 750, with the best range/payload performance and 50 percent more total cabin volume than its nearest competitor, was delivered to Jet Asia Limited for use in the Asia Pacific region on May 28.

The newest aircraft in the Hawker family, the Hawker 750 was announced at the National Business Aviation Association convention in October 2006. The Hawker 750 is another evolution of the world's best-selling, mid-size business jet, the Hawker 800-series, and it has essentially redefined the entire light-mid segment by offering a cabin that is wider, taller and longer than any competitive aircraft in this segment. The Hawker 750 also retains the traditional Hawker full fuel, full seats and full bags capability. Under typical passenger/baggage loading scenario the Hawker 750 offers more range and nearly tripled the max payload capability previously offered to customers in that segment. The Hawker 750 has opened a new customer segment for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation and demand has been so high that the next available units are in 2010.

"There was an industry need for the Hawker 750 in the light-midsize aircraft segment, as demonstrated by a large backlog that includes a four aircraft order from Jet Asia made last year," said Brad Hatt, president, Commercial Aircraft. "We're meeting our customers' needs for a spacious light midsize that provides unprecedented performance and value."

Jet Asia Limited, based in Macau, is Asia's premier aircraft charter and management company. The delivery is part of an order made by the company in September 2007 for six of the company's newest jets, two Hawker 900XP mid-size jets and four Hawker 750 light-midsize jets. The second Hawker 750 is expected to be delivered by the end of June. The other two deliveries of Hawker 750s are planned by the end of the year 2008. Last December, Hawker Beechcraft delivered two Hawker 900XPs to Jet Asia Limited.

The 750 will be used in support of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM), a casino company owned by Sociedade de Turismo e Diversoes de Macau (STDM), and to further develop the explosive Asian jet charter marketplace. Jet Asia Limited was incorporated in Macau in 1997 for the STDM corporate flight department. Executive charters are offered under authority granted by the Macau Air Operator Certificate.

"We are honored to deliver this fine aircraft to Jet Asia Limited," said Ted Farid, vice president, New Business Development. "The Hawker 750 is ideally suited for several international locations like Europe and Asia Pacific as it offers customers midsize cabin and comforts at a light-midsize price, with a range capable of non-stop, point-to-point travel anywhere in the region."

The Hawker 750 has the same cabin as the Hawker 800-series, accommodating up to eight passengers and providing the largest cabin in the light-midsize aircraft segment. The aircraft features a new Hawker interior designed at HBC's Little Rock Completion Center specifically for the 750 and its customers. Special to the size segment, the ventral fuel tank is replaced with a heated external baggage compartment, offering 32 cubic feet (0.91 cu m) of additional baggage capacity. The new aircraft also includes the highly successful Honeywell TFE731-5BR engine and state-of-the art Collins Pro Line 21TM avionics package.