Maiden Flight of JetBird Aircraft :

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Maiden Flight of JetBird Aircraft
Communiqué publié le 27/07/2007 à 14h52

JetBird AG ('JetBird' or the 'Company'), the first Pan-European, low cost executive jet operator, today welcomed the maiden flight of the first Phenom 100 Very Light Jet (VLJ), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

The Embraer Phenom 100, the best-in-class VLJ, flew yesterday for the first time. The maiden flight which took place on schedule lasted for 1 hour and 36 minutes and several manoeuvres were performed to check the aircraft's flight characteristics and systems operations, all of which performed in line with expectations.

A full test programme, including static and fatigue tests, will follow the maiden flight in order to obtain Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency certification, which will be followed by U.S. Federal Aviation Authority certification, prior to entering service in mid-2008. European Aviation Safety Agency certification will be completed in the first quarter of 2009, after which JetBird will take delivery of its first Phenom 100.

Embraer's Phenom 100 was launched in May 2005 as a best-in-class executive jet in the very light category. JetBird, the world's first fleet customer for the Embraer Phenom family aircraft, and European launch customer, has ordered 50 Phenom 100 aircraft, with options to purchase a further 50.

Embraer's President and CEO, Mr Frederico Fleury Curado remarked, "This is a key milestone for Embraer and a very special and rewarding moment for the entire Embraer team."

Mr Curado added "When we unveiled the Phenom jets a little more than two years ago, we asserted to the business aviation community our commitment to be a long term player in the executive aviation market. The first flight of the Phenom 100 confirms this commitment and constitutes another step in Embraer's strategy to serve our customers with a product line that spans the market."

JetBird CEO, Mr Stefan Vilner, commented, "As expected, the Phenom's first flight was on schedule and successful. As European launch customer, we look forward to receiving the first European certified Phenom 100 in April 2009."

He added "JetBird's choice of the Phenom 100 reflects its position as the premium aircraft in its category offering best-in-class comfort, space and passenger facilities."

"Embraer have a proven track record of designing and manufacturing commercial aircraft. The application of this experience to the Phenom family of aircraft means that the Phenom 100 has lower operating costs, higher utilization capability and higher residual value than all other aircraft in its class."

He concluded "Each of these factors underpins JetBird's low cost business model and the ability to offer a premium service at a significantly lower price point than existing private jet operators."

About JetBird

Commencing operations in April, 2009, JetBird will become Europe's first true low cost private jet airline, offering a private jet experience at up to 50% less than current branded operators. With aircraft based at a number of demand centres around Europe, JetBird will offer on-demand private jet charter at a price that offers true value for money, thus making private jet travel affordable for middle and senior level executives and the mass affluent.

About Claret Capital

Claret Capital, founded by Domhnal Slattery in 2005, is a private investment firm based in Dublin, Ireland. Claret Capital manages the assets of a small number of ultra high net worth individuals and families and has a global investment mandate. The firm has completed investments in the Private Equity, Real Estate, Media and Technology sectors. Claret Capital has also founded a number of new ventures including Blue Ocean Wireless, a company focused on expanding communication capability in the merchant maritime sector. Blue Ocean Wireless provides, for the first time, GSM connectivity for seafarers in deep ocean water, where no other network exists.

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