Car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler has begun operating an Airbus A320 corporate shuttle between its headquarters cities of Stuttgart, Germany, and Detroit, Michigan.
Operated by DaimlerChrysler Pentastar Aviation, the A320 is flying four scheduled round trips a week between Stuttgart International and Oakland County International airports. The aircraft, dubbed the Transatlantic Star, is an ex-Air Macau A320 leased from Transmeridian, which converted the interior to business-class seating for 52 passengers.
The A320, which has three pilots and four flight attendants, is expected to average about 90h flight time a week. DaimlerChrysler has ordered an A319CJ Corporate Jet to replace the leased A320. The company has also ordered two Gulfstream Vs, two Bombardier Challenger 604s and two Bombardier Learjet 60s for its Germany-based corporate fleet. Delivery is planned for year-end.
Source: Flight International
