ACJ319 to go on display at MEBAA
Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) is showcasing an ACJ319 at the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show to highlight the trend towards larger cabins in new-generation business jets.
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More than 190 ACJs are in service today.
Operated by Acropolis Aviation of the UK, which is upgrading to an ACJ320neo, the aircraft is offered for VVIP charter flights.
“What you get in the cabin, and being able to fly when and where you want, is the bedrock of business aviation, and being able to stand upright and move around freely – a trademark feature of Airbus corporate jets – makes a huge difference to enjoyment and productivity,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge.
Airbus ACJ320 Family aircraft have the widest and tallest cabins of any large business-jet, while being about the same size and delivering similar operating costs. New members of the family, such as the ACJ319neo and ACJ320neo, feature new engines and wingtip-mounted Sharklets, enabling even longer intercontinental flights.
The first of these new aircraft, an ACJ320neo for Acropolis Aviation, successfully completed flight trials in November and will be delivered for outfitting in the coming weeks. It will join more than 500 A320neo Family aircraft that are already in widespread airline service.
A total of 11 ACJ320neo Family aircraft have been ordered to date, from customers that include Acropolis Aviation, Comlux, K5 Aviation and undisclosed customers.
The Middle East is one of the biggest business-jet markets in the world and was where Airbus sold its first corporate jet in the mid-Eighties. Around 60 ACJs are currently flying in the Middle East, comprising about 40 ACJ320 Family aircraft and some 20 VIP widebodies. It is a key market for Airbus’ VIP widebodies - such as the new ACJ330neo and ACJ350 XWB.