AB Jets Enters Super-Midsize Bizjet Market With Challenger 3500 Order

Stephen Costley October 17, 2023

From left to right: Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defense, Éric Martel, President and CEO at Bombardier, Andrew Bettis, founder and co-owner of AB Jets, David Turner, Co-owned and Director of Operations at AB Jets, Mark H. George, Chairman at IMC, and Frank Vento, Vice President, Sales-U,S. at Bombardier.

Credit: Bombardier

LAS VEGAS—AB Jets and Bombardier on Tuesday announced an order by AB Jets for three Challenger 3500s, plus a contractual option to order a fourth by the end of 2023, at a champagne celebration at the NBAA BACE static display in Henderson Executive Airport. Adding to its fleet of nine Learjet 60s, the new Challengers expand the Memphis-based, Argus Platinum-rated private charter company into the super-midsize business jet market.                           

"These super-midsize jets begin an exciting new chapter for our company," said Andrew Bettis, founder and co-owner of AB Jets. "These aircraft will be opening doors and we plan to walk through those doors. Three aircraft is only the beginning for us."
 
Bettis went on to say that AB Jets was originally not in the market to purchase new aircraft, but due diligence found that used Challengers were holding their values at a high level. Thus, it made them take a look at purchasing new.
 
"AB Jets was looking to upgrade its offering with the ultimate jet experience, and we are thrilled that they recognized the Challenger 3500 as the aircraft that can provide just that," said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive vice president for aircraft sales and Bombardier defense. "We are looking forward to being AB Jets' partner of choice in the exciting new chapter for the company."

In addition to its primary operations as a charter operator, AB Jets also offers supplemental lift services to brokers, flight departments, and operators

Stephen Costley

Steve Costley is responsible for the overall production SpeedNews. Steve has over 30 years of experience with SpeedNews, now part of the Aviation Week Network. He joined the company in August 1989 as an Associate Editor and was named Managing Editor in 1994. He was also named Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SpeedNews, Inc., in the late 1990s, and held those titles until Prism Business Media acquired the company from Gil Speed in 2006.