MEA receives
its first private jet

Rental cost of nine-seat Embraer
Legacy 500 up to $5,000 per hour

Middle East Airlines (MEA), the national flag-carrier, received its first private jet today, the Legacy 500.

The private jet will be managed and operated by Cedar Executive, a subsidiary of MEA specialized in private flights. It was purchased for $19 million.

The rental rate for the Legacy 500 is between $4,500 and $5,000 per hour, according to Mohamad El-Hout, Chairman of MEA.

The Legacy 500 is manufactured in Brazil by Embraer. It is a midsized plane with a capacity for nine passengers. It has full digital controls and a six feet tall cabin with a flat floor. The Avionics Suite is made by Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion.

The jet will travel to Europe and throughout the Middle East, reaching a maximum elevation of 45,000 feet and a speed of Mach 0.82.