Comlux Aviation, one the largest owners and operators of the Airbus ACJ320 VIP narrowbody airliner family has placed its first order with Boeing since launching operations over 11 years ago.
The Swiss company announced at the show today the acquisition of two BBJ Max 8s – a corporate version of the re-engined 737 Max 8 – in a deal “that was too good turn down”, says Comlux president and chief executive Richard Gaona.
He stresses, however that “the door still remains open to Airbus”, even though the airframer has yet to officially launch its challenger to the BBJ Max series – an ACJ320neo family.The first examples of the re-engined A320 are scheduled to enter airline service next year.
“The BBJ Max 8 is a perfect addition to the Comlux fleet,” says Gaona. “We are impressed with the aircraft’s 6,000nm [11,100km] range and its low cabin altitude, which makes long-range flights far more comfortable for our passengers.”
Boeing is scheduled to deliver the two aircraft in 2019 and 2020 to Comlux’s US completions centre in Indianapolis. Outfitting is expected to take around a year for each.
The Max 8s will replace Comlux’s ACJ320 and one of its three ACJ319s. The company says it will be looking to replace the two remaining ACJs within the next few years. "We don't keep aircraft that are more than five years old," says Gaona.
Comlux is the third customer for the BBJ Max 8 since the model was launched in April. The identity of the other position holders has not been disclosed, but Boeing is hoping to deliver the first "green" CFM International Leap-1B-powered aircraft in 2018.
The Swiss company operates a fleet of 25 owned and managed business jets including a VIP-configured 767, which it acquired from the used market in 2011.
Source: Flight International
