Airbus ACJ Family reaches milestone of 100 sales

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The Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family has reached the milestone of 100 sales, worth $5.5 billion based on list prices, just ten years after program launch in 1997.

 

Initially comprising just one model, the Airbus ACJ, which evolved into a corporate jet from the A319, the family first expanded to include an A320 Prestige and, more recently, an A318 Elite.

 

Widely recognized as being the top-end of top-of-the-line corporate jets, the Airbus ACJ Family set new standards in comfort and spaciousness, introducing cabins that are still almost twice as wide and three times as voluminous as traditional business jets.

 

Featuring the most modern designs in its class, the Airbus ACJ Family also introduced new features to business aviation, such as the fly-by-wire controls that are now the industry standard, advanced fuel-saving aerodynamics and extensive use of weight-saving materials such as carbonfibre.

 

"Our initial forecast was for annual sales in this top-end category of just twelve aircraft a year, of which we expected to win a half," comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, and John Leahy. "We've done rather better than that and, with corporate jet customers increasingly recognising that they get a lot more for their money with our aircraft, we expect to do even better in the future," he added.

 

Airbus has won a record 36 corporate jet sales this year, comprising 29 Airbus ACJ Family aircraft and seven VIP widebodies, setting a new record. This compares with sales of 20 Airbus ACJ Family aircraft and one VIP widebody in 2006.

 

The seven VIP widebodies include five Airbus A340s and the first VIP A380 Flying Palace, whose four engines give customers attractive extra capability on long-haul flights - including the ability to keep going to their destination, even in the unlikely event of an engine failure.

 

Airbus' A380 Flying Palace has 551 sq metres/5,930 ft² of floorspace on two decks - about 50 per cent more than today's largest aircraft - and is the ultimate private jet.

 

Airbus evolved its popular ACJ Family from the youthful designs of the A320 Family, adding extra fuel-tanks in the cargo hold to provide intercontinental range - as well as a VIP cabin. It also added other features - such as built-in airstairs for autonomy at remote airports, high-thrust engines for excellent take-off performance, and a higher, more efficient, cruise altitude.

 

Airbus' A318 Elite typically flies 8 passengers 4,100 nm/7,600 km, the ACJ 8 passengers up to 6,000 nm/11,100 km, and the A320 Prestige 300 passengers up to 4,100 nm/7,600 km.

 

Airbus is an EADS company. 

 

Sourced From: Avian Media