Airbus has brought the first truly VIP Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) to this year’s NBAA show in Orlando.
David Velupillai, marketing director of Airbus Executive Aviation, says: “Although we have brought other corporate aircraft before, this is the first truly VIP product we have taken to NBAA.”
Switzerland’s Comlux operates the aircraft, which features a VIP interior comprising a bedroom with ensuite bathroom, including a shower, a lounge, a dining room, and first-class seating. It seats up to 19 passengers.
Airbus also announced it will deliver the first A318 Elite+ to China this month. The aircraft will be the first VIP A318 on the Chinese B-register and will be based in Shenzhen.
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It will be managed by BAA Jet Management of Hong Kong. Although it is going to an undisclosed owner, the aircraft will be flying mainly in China.
Jeffrey Lowe BAA’s director of sales and marketing says: “The benefit of being on the B register is that you pay fees in local RMB rather than dollars, which is a saving of 30-40%.”
Airbus sales of its VIP product line are up this year on 2007. So far the airframer has taken orders for 14 narrowbodies and nine widebody aircraft.
By contrast Boeing has sold nine narrowbodies and four widebodies in 2008. Airbus won 38 firm orders last year - 31 Airbus ACJ family aircraft and seven VIP widebodies.
NBAA 2008: Flight brings you all the latest news, images, blogs and video from the show
Source: Flight International
