French VIP charter operator and sublease provider Blue Line has taken delivery of a VIP-configured Airbus A310-300 to cater for the demand for large group and heads of state transport.
The popularity of the aircraft, coupled with a paucity of suitable products on the market, has prompted Paris-based Blue Line to evaluate the purchase a second A310VIP at a later date.
"This aircraft has a great appeal," says Blue Line's international development manager Pierre-Emmanuel Allard. "With its two additional fuel tanks the A310VIP can fly non-stop for 13h in its 78 first-class-seat configuration. It can also accommodate 300 pieces of luggage [in the cargo hold]."
Allard admits there are few aircraft like its A310VIP available for charter. "We are getting a lot of interest in the aircraft from governments who are looking for VIP transport for their heads of state," he says.
"Our immediate aim is to develop a new VVIP interior which could be installed in around 6-8h to accommodate this demand."
Blue Line also operates two Boeing MD-83s - one in executive configuration and the other fitted with a bi-class interior - as well as two short-range Fokker 100s, of which one is in executive configuration and one is available for sublease to airlines.
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Source: Flight International
