Elite Air Adds Challenger 605 to Its Part 135 Fleet
Elite Air, based in St. Petersburg/Clearwater, has expanded its charter operations by adding its first Challenger 605 to its Part 135-certified fleet. The jet, registered as N450RH with manufacturer serial number 5809, is a 15.8-year-old Bombardier Business Aircraft that was recently reimported to the United States. Originally registered in China and having operated there for 10 years, the Challenger 605 was imported to the US for the first time in 2021 and later joined Argentina’s Flyzar fleet in 2022 under the registration LV-KFQ. After being phased out in April 2024 by Flyzar, the aircraft has now found a new home with Elite Air, marking its transition from a Part 91 operator to being part of the carrier’s Part 135 fleet.
The Challenger 605 was re-registered in the United States on November 5, 2024, and became active shortly thereafter. Its initial operations involved a flight between Lincoln, Nebraska and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, where it is based. On March 7, 2025, the aircraft completed its first flight under Elite Air’s ‘ELZ’ code, operating between its base and Napa. This move not only expands Elite Air’s fleet but also strengthens its presence in the US charter market, offering enhanced capabilities and expanded route options for its discerning clientele.
Elite Air’s decision to add the Challenger 605 reflects its ongoing commitment to modernizing and diversifying its fleet. The airline has a history with the Challenger 600-series, having previously operated other variants such as the Challenger 601, Challenger 601-3A, Challenger 604, and Challenger 650. With this new addition, Elite Air joins a robust roster of aircraft that includes a wide variety of business jets and turboprops, ensuring that it can cater to a range of customer needs and flight profiles.
The current Part 135 fleet operated by Elite Air is extensive and diverse, comprising a Learjet 31A, a Learjet 40XR, two Challenger 300s, a Challenger 350, a Challenger 3500, the newly added Challenger 605, two Global Express jets, a Global 5500, a Citation XLS, a Praetor 600, two Legacy 600s, a Legacy 650, two G200s, a G450, a G650ER, two Hawker 800XPi, two Hawker 850XP, a Hawker 900XP, and two King Air B300s. This diverse fleet enables the operator to provide tailored charter services ranging from short regional hops to long-range international journeys. The inclusion of the Challenger 605 enhances the fleet’s overall performance, offering excellent range, speed, and passenger comfort that are crucial for executive travel and high-end charter operations.
Elite Air’s strategic fleet expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for premium charter services in the United States. The integration of the Challenger 605 into the fleet not only diversifies the aircraft portfolio but also adds an aircraft renowned for its performance and reliability. As the charter market becomes increasingly competitive, Elite Air’s efforts to upgrade and expand its fleet are expected to strengthen its market position and appeal to a broader spectrum of clients seeking flexible, efficient, and luxurious air travel solutions.
With the successful addition of the Challenger 605, Elite Air continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing top-tier charter services and maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving aviation industry.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com