Airbus is eyeing the fractional ownership market in an effort to stimulate its orderbook for the corporate version of the A319CJ (ACJ).
Although no details have been disclosed, the manufacturer is believed to be considering existing programmes or starting-up a venture of its own.
"We are studying potential ideas including fractional ownership possibilities and launching other corporate variants of the Airbus family, but our main consideration now is to get the first few aircraft out of the door," says the Toulouse, France-based manufacturer.
Airbus is to begin flight tests on an International Aero Engines V2500-powered ACJ in May, with first deliveries expected six months later. The consortium says the tests are designed to address the remaining certification issues not included in its A319 airliner derivative programme, which include the additional fuel tanks; the higher thrust rating in the engines, which also includes the CFM International CFM56-5B turbofans; and higher 41,000ft cruise altitude.
Airbus is now attempting to enhance its marketing approach to the $35 million long range ACJ, for which it has around 12 "commitments" to date. The figures lag behind rivals Bombardier, which has 80 orders for the Global Express; Gulfstream, with 100 sales for its GV and Boeing, with 46 orders for the Boeing Business Jet. The company recently announced plans to set aside an undisclosed number of delivery slots from the production line for the airliner variant of the A319, which it believes has hindered aircraft sales.
Source: Flight International
