Qatar Airways has purchased three Bombardier business jets for a combined total of $120m for its private jet subsidiary Qatar Executive.

The airline’s chief executive Akbar al-Baker announced the order during the Farnborough Airshow 2010.

Two of the aircraft costing a total cost of $90m are Canadian Bombardier’s Global 5000 jets which will be able to fly non-stop from the carrier’s hub in Doha to as far as Hong Kong.

The two aircraft will be delivered in October 2010 and August 2011 and will join the Qatar Executive fleet of three.

Qatar Executive was launched in 2009 to accommodate the growth in the Middle East’s corporate jet market which is worth up to $700m a year.

Al-Baker made a surprise order of one Bombardier Challenger 605 jet during the announcement.

The chief executive also says he is negotiating with Bombardier over the purchase of its C-series aircraft.

“We are still talking to Bombardier about the C-series. This is not concluded yet and I hope that our negotiations will come into fruition in the not too distant future,” says Al-Baker.

He says that the delay in purchasing is due to ongoing discussions with the engine manufacturer of the C-series, US-based Pratt and Whitney.

In May, al-Baker said he hoped to conclude talks with Bombardier by the summer (MEED 7:5:10).

The carrier is expanding its fleet to accommodate long-term plans to expand its network to 120 destinations by 2013.