First ACJ320NEO - G-KELT / A320-251(N)(ACJ) / Acropolis Aviation cn.8403

 Paul Bannwarth

Comlux takes delivery of its first ACJ320neo

Comlux has taken delivery of the first of three ACJ320neo1 aircraft, which will now enter VIP cabin-outfitting by Comlux Completion in Indianapolis. It is the largest customer for the ACJ320neo Family, which has already won a total of 11 orders.

“The new ACJ320neo gives us the means to deliver nonstop flights to even more of the world. CFM International has supported Comlux over the years, and we have chosen its new, fuel-efficient and highly reliable LEAP-1A engines to power the aircraft. Comlux Completion will install a unique VIP cabin interior, using the most advanced technologies to offer the best comfort and luxury to our customer,” says Comlux Executive Chairman and CEO Richard Gaona.

The ACJ320neo family uses new engines and wingtip mounted Sharklets to deliver a 15 per cent fuel-saving, which also translates into a leap forward in range for business jet operators.

It comprises an ACJ320neo that can fly 25 passengers 13 hours or 6,000 nm/11,100 km, and an ACJ319neo that can transport eight passengers 15 hours or 6,750 nm/12,500 km.

“Airbus corporate jets already have a reputation for comfort, reliability and value, already enjoy similar operating costs to traditional business jets through their airliner heritage, and are now even more economical in their NEO versions,” says ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

More than 700 A320neo Family aircraft are already in service with airlines and, with over 15,000 firm orders for the whole A320 Family, it is the clear leader in its class.

Airbus’ A320 Family pioneered features that are now standard in most new-generation business jets - such as enhanced-protection fly-by-wire controls, cost-saving centralised maintenance and weight-saving carbonfibre – ensuring that it has a long and successful future ahead of it.

More than 190 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.



                                           

Acropolis Aviation takes delivery of 1st ACJ320neo

Cabin completion of new aircraft next step

Acropolis Aviation of the UK has taken delivery of the first ACJ320neo, which features new-generation engines and Sharklets to deliver a leap forward in range and economy.

The aircraft will now undergo cabin-outfitting by AMAC in Basle, Switzerland, receiving a VVIP cabin designed by Alberto Pinto. Its current ACJ livery will also be replaced by Acropolis Aviation colours.

“Delivery of the first ACJ320neo is the latest milestone in the roll-out of a completely new ACJ Family, enabling even more of the comfort, range and value prized by business jet customers,” says ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

The A320neo Family is widely proven with airlines, which already fly more than 600 of them.

Corporate jet customers are now poised to benefit from this airliner heritage, enhanced by specific features – such as extra fuel tanks in the cargo hold that contribute even more intercontinental range, an improved cabin atmosphere, a higher maximum take-off weight and cruise altitude, and airstairs.

The ACJ320 Family currently comprises the ACJ319neo, capable of flying eight passengers 6,750 nm/12,500 km or more than 15 hours, and the ACJ320neo, which can fly 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,100 km or more than 13 hours.

Deliveries of the ACJ320neo’s sibling, the ACJ319neo, will begin in the coming months.

In addition to the their new fuel-saving engines and Sharklets, ACJ320neo Family aircraft have the widest and tallest cabins of any business jet, without costing more to operate or taking up more ramp space.

The ACJ Family includes a complete family of VIP widebodies that can carry even more passengers nonstop around the world - including the new ACJ330neo and ACJ350 XWB.

More than 190 ACJs are in service around the world, around the clock.

About Acropolis Aviation

Acropolis Aviation is a leading luxury charter aviation operator based at Farnborough Airport, the UK's premier business aviation airport, with a complementary sales office in Fort Lauderdale, USA. Its current ACJ319 entered service in March 2010 and has gained a reputation for excellent service in the high-end charter market.

About the A320neo Family

The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers since its launch in 2010. It incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15% in fuel savings from day one and 20% by 2020 with further cabin innovations. The A320neo also offers significant environmental performance with nearly 50% reduction in noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft.

About Airbus Corporate Jets



Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) creates the world’s most rewarding flying experiences for customers by providing them with unique expertise, the finest service, best technology and highest standards of care in corporate aviation. All Airbus corporate jets come from the most modern aircraft family on the market, derived from Airbus’ successful market-leading jetliners.

ACJ320neo takes to the skies for the first time

A new era begins for Airbus corporate jets

The first ACJ320neo successfully completed a two hour and 40 minute first flight from Hamburg on 16 November, getting its short test programme off to a good start.

Derived from the popular A320neo airliner family, some 500 of which are in airline service, the corporate jet version includes features such as extra fuel tanks in the cargo hold that will deliver even more intercontinental range, plus greater cabin pressure for better passenger comfort.

These features are being tested before delivery of the aircraft to Acropolis Aviation in the coming months. The aircraft will then undergo cabin outfitting by AMAC in Basle, Switzerland, and be repainted in customer colours.

“The ACJ320neo first flight heralds a new Airbus corporate jet era, delivering a range improvement that enables nonstop travel between even more cities, in what is widely recognised as the best cabin of any business jet,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge. “The ACJ320neo Family’s improved fuel efficiency also means that it compares even more favourably in operating costs with traditional business jets,” he added.

Continuous improvements mean that the ACJ320 Family now comprises the ACJ319neo, flying eight passengers 6,750 nm/12,500 km or more than 15 hours, and the ACJ320neo, flying 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,100 km or more than 13 hours.

Both aircraft feature fuel-saving new-generation engines and Sharklets, and deliver more comfort and space than traditional business jets with similar operating costs.

Airbus also offers a complete family of VIP widebodies that can carry even more passengers nonstop to the world - including the new ACJ330neo and ACJ350 XWB.



Today, the customers of more than 190 ACJs benefit from the robust reliability and worldwide support that comes from their airliner heritage, plus services tailored to corporate jet needs.

First ACJ320neo is assembled

The no.1 Airbus Corporate Jets ACJ320neo has been assembled and will be delivered to Acropolis Aviation of the UK, followed by cabin outfitting at AMAC in Basle, Switzerland; this NEO (new engine option) member of the A320 Family is powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines

Heralds new era in Airbus corporate jets

The first ACJ320neo[1] has been assembled on schedule, fitted with CFM International LEAP-1A engines and painted with the Airbus Corporate Jets livery in preparation for a first flight in the coming weeks.

After delivery to Acropolis Aviation of the UK in the last quarter of this year, the aircraft will enter outfitting at AMAC in Basle, Switzerland, where an Alberto Pinto-designed cabin will be installed, and be repainted in the customer’s colours.

Like the airliner versions from which it is derived, the ACJ320neo Family features new-generation engines and Sharklets, saving around 15 per cent in fuel and delivering a leap forward in inter-continental range.

The resulting ACJ320neo can fly 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,100 km or 13 hours - enabling routes such as London to Beijing or Cape Town and Moscow to Los Angeles - while the ACJ319neo can fly eight passengers 6,700 nm/12,500 km or 15 hours.

Featuring the widest and tallest cabins of any large business-jet, the ACJ320neo Family delivers similar operating costs and better residual value, while being about the same size.

Orders for the ACJ320neo Family stand at nine aircraft, comprising three ACJ319neo and six ACJ320neo aircraft.