Gulfstream is set to deliver the first G450 to an Asian customer by the end of this month. The aircraft is going to Hong Kong-based Speed Jet Charter and will be managed and operated by Metrojet.The owner will use the jet to transport its top executives but will also offer the G450 for charter.

Metrojet, based at Hong Kong International Airport’s Business Aviation Centre, also operates three G200s. Metrojet leases one and operates the other two under management contracts.

According to sales and corporate development director Chris Buchholz, charter demand has increased by an average of 30 percent annually since it received its first G200 in February 2003. The operator will add another G200 by the end of this month.

Metrojet is part of the Hong Kong Aviation Group, which also includes helicopter charter firm Heliservices. The company is also involved in aircraft sales and is an FAA-approved maintenance provider at the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre.

At its ABACE press conference, Gulfstream also reported that the first GIV in China logged 450 hours during the 12-month period ending on June 30. Air China Business Jet, the executive charter wing of flag carrier Air China, operates the aircraft.

Meanwhile, a Tokyo-based GV has logged more than 300 charter hours since entering service in April last year. The aircraft is managed and operated by The Air Group of Van Nuys, Calif., with Marubeni Aerospace handling charter sales in Japan.

There are now 41 Gulfstreams in the Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. airframer supports the area’s clients with four authorized service centers: Metrojet (Hong Kong), Jamco (Japan), Jet Aviation (Singapore) and ExecuJet (Australia).