Keen on a narrowbody-sized VIP aircraft but still watching the pennies? Well then, Lufthansa Technik might have a solution to your dilemma.
The German MRO and completions provider has launched what it calls the Executive Shuttle concept designed for Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 aircraft which features a number of designs “within a manageable budget”.
In all, LHT’s design department has come up with 20 different cabin layouts for both aircraft families, running all the way from an all-business or first-class configuration to more complex variants featuring sleeping or dining areas. Seating capacity is between 20-52 on A320s and 20-56 on the 737.
Walter Heerdt, senior vice-president VIP & Executive Jet Solutions at LHT says it sees “concrete demand” for the concept which is designed to be installed on pre-owned jets.
“Prospective customers from different regions are looking for possibilities to offer their special guests an exclusive on-board ambience while using the aircraft for their executive shuttle service. At the same time the interior design and completion of these executive shuttles must stay within a reasonable financial investment,” he says.
The design could also be used to offer a “second life” to ex-airline narrowbodies through making partial use of refurbished interiors, he says.
LHT believes significant interest in the Executive Shuttle will come from Asia and it will cooperate with Hong Kong’s Asian Sky Group in the region to facilitate the acquisition of aircraft for customers.
Turn-around time for the refurbishment work will be between two to six months, depending on the selected interior and will be carried out at LHT’s completion centres.
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Source: Flight Daily News
