Jet Aviation Basel is the world’s first completions centre to win a VIP Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner project for an unnamed Middle Eastern client. The green aircraft will be delivered in 2011 with an expected downtime of 15 to 18 months. The client is the first-ever private purchaser of the new aircraft type.
Jet Aviation Basel has already completed several projects for this customer, including a VVIP widebody interior. Norbert Marx, Basel’s senior vice president and general manager, says: “We are proud of our long standing relationship with this client and are extremely pleased to have been awarded this exciting project for his Dreamliner. Our engineering team is working closely with Boeing to become familiar with the aircraft’s advanced design.” Around 50% percent of the jet’s primary structure will be composite, including the fuselage and wings.
Jet Aviation has been working on an interior scheme for the 787 for almost three years. In 2005, the company partnered with renowned designer Peder Eidsgaard and presented mould-breaking concepts for the jet at EBACE 2006. Jet Aviation Basel is also investing $29m to develop its capabilities and will add a new wide-body completions hangar. The facility already has in-house design and engineering departments, along with on-site cabinetry, upholstery, fiberglass and paint shops.
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Source: Flight Daily News
