Loss-making BlackBerry bought corporate jet in July

It is about to post an operating loss of more than $950m (£593m) for the second quarter ending 31 August and has planned to slash 40% of its workforce. Yet troubled phonemaker BlackBerry reportedly bought a corporate jet in July.

According to Canadian aircraft-registry records, the company bought a 2006 Bombardier Global estimated to be worth $25m to $29m. The jet can reportedly fly from New York to Tokyo without refueling.

According to a report in the Wall Steet Journal, the jets were spotted in Europe “early this month, including on a flight to Marseille, France”.

A spokesperson for the company said he didn’t “believe they have been flown since we took delivery of the newer used jet.”

In a bid to cut costs last year, BlackBerry sold one of its three corporate jets leaving it with two Dassault Falcon jets.

In a statement, company spokesman Adam Emery said: “Earlier this year the company decided to sell both [Dassault] planes and replace them with one longer-range aircraft. The company considered several options and selected a used Bombardier aircraft, which was eventually delivered in July.

“In light of the company’s current business condition, the company has decided to sell that aircraft along with the two legacy aircraft and will no longer own any planes,” he added.

The news comes after BlackBerry halted the roll out of its BBM app hours after launch yesterday. It had accidentally released an unscheduled BBM android app as well, causing widespread embarrassment.