John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers, flew into EBACE for the first time ever this afternoon to sign a single aircraft deal that, he says, heralds a new era for the corporate airliner market as he formally launched the ACJ320neo.
The launch customer for the long-anticipated variant is Farnborough, UK-based Acropolis Aviation.
Acropolis chief executive Jonathan Bousfield signed the contract with Leahy noting: “Our passengers and team have been delighted with our ACJ319 and the success that is has achieved with VVIP charter flights over the past five years. We are both excited and proud to be the launch customer for the ACJ320neo which is the cornerstone of our planning for a successful future.”
Delivery of this first ACJ320neo as a green aircraft is planned for the fourth quarter of 2018. Bousfield says that details of the cabin outfitting and the engine choice will be given later.
Leahy also announced the launch of the smaller ACJ319neo.
The Neo aircraft both feature more efficient engines, wingtip mounted sharklets and a more comfortable and technology enhanced cabins leading to improvements in fuel burn, range and performance. The ACJ320neo will be capable of carrying 25 passengers 11,100km (6,000nm) while the A319 will take eight passengers 12,500km (6,750nm).
“Airbus prides itself on innovation so this is a natural step in us growing the corporate jet line-up,” Leahy says. “The ACJneo allows us to offer even more of the comfort, range and value sought by our customers. It will deliver a 16% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with today’s ACJ320,” he says.The Acropolis A320neo will be fitted with 19 seats.
The engine choice will be between the CFM International LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G both large diameter turbofans making use of the space below the Airbus wing to take full advantage of the extra diameter available.
Bousfield says the A320neo will build on the successes Acropolis has achieved with its ACJ319. “That has been very popular in the high end charter market especially in the Middle East, USA and Europe. The improved range gives us addition city pairings such as London to Los Angeles, Johannesburg or Tokyo.”
The cabin altitude will average “well below” 6,400 feet according to Airbus.
In its airline configuration the Airbus A320neo has been the most successful launch ever for the European manufacturer which has already won around 3,800 orders for the neo family. Flight trials are already under way, with deliveries to airlines due to begin towards the end of this year.
Source: Flight Daily News
