Airbus and Boeing are going head to head again - this time in the corporate-jet market.
The European consortium has responded to Boeing's startling success with the 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) by launching its new A319CJ (corporate jet). Airbus believes that, with Boeing, it can grab just under half of the large-cabin, long-range business market from the turn of the century.
Airbus launched the A319CJ on the opening day of the show, with managing director Jean Pierson conceding that "-for once Airbus has reacted to Boeing". Pierson says that the new model, which will typically seat between ten and 60 passengers, will be certificated in the second quarter of 1999, and cost around $30 million to develop. The aircraft is offered at a "green" (unequipped cabin) list price of $35 million, close to the price of rivals BBJ, Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream V.
Airbus is developing a rapidly adjustable fuel-tank system, giving up to seven additional centre fuel tanks (ACTs) in the forward and aft cargo holds, boosting fuel capacity to 40,680litres. This provides a range, with ten passengers, of 11,600km (6,300nm).
Airbus expects annual sales in the stand-up cabin, long-range business market to total around 60-65 aircraft, with Airbus and Boeing accounting for about 24 units.
The consortium claims that it will match Boeing's corporate orderbook.
Boeing is more bullish about its own success, having said recently that it intends to be building 24 BBJs a year from 1999 onwards.
In the meantime, Boeing plans to raise the price of its aircraft by $1.5 million on 1 July on the back of further enhancements, including a head-up-display.
The price for an unfurnished "green" aircraft will rise to $32 million, and will probably go up again early in 1998.
The increase reflects the selection of Flight Dynamics heads-up guidance system and a second high-frequency radio as standard.
Boeing Business Jet, a company established jointly with General Electric in 1996, announced two new orders at the show, taking the total to 20 aircraft. As a result of the better-than-expected sales, Boeing plans to deliver nine aircraft in the fourth quarter of 1998, rather than the four planned originally.
Source: Flight International
