Viva Jets (Lagos) has added a first Hawker 850XP, a company spokesperson confirmed to ch-aviation.
The newly inducted aircraft, 5N-SPG (msn 258984), is 16.3 years old and configured for up to eight passengers. “We have just refurbished the jet and it will soon enter service,” the spokesperson said.
This Hawker 850XP joins another Hawker Beechcraft aircraft, namely a Hawker 900XP added earlier this year, as well as a Challenger 604 in Viva Jets' fleet. Looking ahead, the company is preparing to induct another Challenger 604 as part of plans to expand with the type. All aircraft will be available for charter.
Viva Jets secured a Nigerian air operator's certificate (AOC) in January. In October, the company obtained a USD10 million financing facility from London-based private investment firm TLG Capital, in partnership with Nigeria's Wema Bank, to support the expansion of international operations.
The carrier is a subsidiary of aviation group Falcon Aerospace, which also includes Falcon Aero Canada. The latter is part of a joint venture with Flybird (Abuja) aimed at establishing a new Aruban operator, OrientJets.
Viva Jets' Hawker 850XP was formerly operated by Jet Support Services (JNS, Lagos) as 5N-SPL. Added in 2013, the aircraft remained active until March 7, completing a roundtrip between Lagos and Port Harcourt Awolowo, after which it performed only a test flight on July 10.
Following this retirement, Jet Support Services operates a Hawker 800XP, a Phenom 300, and an E145 parked at Madrid Cuatro Vientes since June 23.
