Catreus AOC (VCG, London Gatwick) has retired its sole Challenger 350 and introduced its first Challenger 3500, as revealed by ch-aviation research.
The 6.4-year-old Challenger 350, G-OOEG (msn 20733), was re-registered to a private owner in the United States as N202G and is now listed for sale. Its final service for Catreus AOC took place on August 23, operating between Guernsey and London Biggin Hill. On September 19, it flew to Battle Creek, via Bangor International, where it remains.
In the meantime, the UK-based operator has inducted its first Challenger 3500, becoming the first in the country to operate the type. G-RRPJ (msn 20999) was delivered new from Bombardier Aerospace in Montréal Trudeau to Birmingham, GB on June 3. The following day, it performed its inaugural service, a round-trip between Birmingham, GB and Amsterdam Schiphol.
With the retirement of its only Challenger 350 and the arrival of the Challenger 3500 - both midsize models capable of accommodating up to 9 passengers - Catreus AOC's diverse fleet now consists of eight other aircraft across various categories, including one Cessna Aircraft Company Citation Jet 2+, one Citation M2, two Citation M2 Gen2s, one Global 6000, one Global 7500, one Global Express XRS and one Embraer Phenom 300.