Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The Nigerian government’s announcement last week that it is buying two Falcon 7Xs and one Gulfstream G550 for its presidential fleet has yielded a rare look at actual business aircraft discounts. Aircraft manufacturers are loath to reveal what deals they give to individual customers, but as a public entity, the Nigerian government had to disclose the aircraft purchase prices in its Fiscal Year 2010 budget. The expenditure item for the three aircraft is listed under the “intelligence community” budget and totals $155.5 million. The purchase price for the two Falcon 7Xs is $102.2 million–a discount of $2.9 million. One of the 7Xs is slated for delivery in the fourth quarter, suggesting the delivery slot could have been opened by a cancellation (Dassault Falcon declined comment). Gulfstream, meanwhile, gave the government an even heftier discount, shaving $5.4 million off the G550’s list price of $58.7 million for a second-quarter delivery next year. If this wasn’t a slot opened by cancellation of a previous order, it raises the question of whether demand for the new wide-cabin $64.5 million G650 is eroding G550 sales. Gulfstream, too, would not comment on the Nigerian order.

Bizjet Discounting Veil Lifted in Nigeria Order 

The Nigerian government’s announcement last week that it is buying two Falcon 7Xs and one Gulfstream G550 for its presidential fleet has yielded a rare loo

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