Airbus Executive and Private Aviation

Airbus Executive and Private Aviation is a producer of large corporate aircraft. It is a part of Airbus S.A.S., an EADS company, and had a model range that parallels the commercial aircraft offered by the company, ranging from the A318 Elite to the double/triple-decked Airbus A380 Prestige. Following the entry of the 737 based Boeing Business Jet, Airbus joined the business jet market with the A319 Corporate Jet in 1997. Although the term Airbus Corporate jet was initially used only for the A319CJ, it is now often used for all models, including the VIP widebodies. As of December 2008, 121 corporate and private jets are operating, 164 aircraft have been ordered, including an A380 Prestige and 107 A320 family Corporate Jet.^[1]

VIP aircraft Airbus A330 of Qatar Amiri Flight (HHM - Her Highness Mozah) taxiing on Zagreb airport.

Narrow-Body Models

Airbus A319CJ

The ACJ family is based on the successful A320 family of aircraft and was based on the A319CJ. Today any version of the A320 is available as corporate jet with 180 minute ETOPS rating.^[2] Changes over the passenger versions include an increase in service ceiling to 41,000 feet (12,000 m) and the use of a variable number of removable additional fuel tanks.^[3]

Airbus ACJ318

The A318 Elite is based on the passenger A318. The smallest of the ACJ family, it is offered in passenger configurations between 14 and 18 passengers with a range of 4,050 nmi (7,500 km).

Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner of Daimler AG Aviation. Early version.

Airbus ACJ319

This model is the corporate jet version of the A319. It incorporates removable extra fuel tanks which are installed in the cargo compartment, and an increased service ceiling of 12,000 m giving a range of 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km). Upon resale the aircraft can be reconfigured as a standard A319 by removing its extra tanks, thus maximizing its resale value. Certificated both European JAA and American FAA, the A319LR and ACJ are the only business jets approved for public transport on both sides of the Atlantic.^[4]

CFM56-5Bs engine on an easyJet A319

The aircraft seats between 19 and 50 passengers but may be outfitted by the customers into any configuration. DC Aviation,UB Group and Reliance Industries are among its users. The A319CJ competes with the Boeing BBJ1, Gulfstream G550, and Bombardier Global Express. Because of its wider fuselage diameter, it offers a roomier interior than its competitors. It is powered by the same engine types as the A320, either the CFM International CFM56-5 or the V2527.

The A319CJ was used by the Escadron de transport, d'entraînement et de calibrage which is in charge of transportation for France's officials, and was also ordered by the Flugbereitschaft of the Luftwaffe for transportation of Germany's officials. Since 2003, an ACJ is a presidential aircraft of Armenia, Brazil, Italy, Venezuela, Thailand, Czech Republic, Turkey and Malaysia.^{[citation needed]}

Airbus ACJ320

The A320 Prestige is offered as a variant for passengers who want more interior space than the A319 offers. It has a passenger capacity of 30 and a range of 4,100 nmi (7,600 km) with two removable fuel tanks.^[5]

Airbus ACJ321

The A321 is not currently available configured as a corporate jet.

Wide-Body Models

Egyptian Government A340

The VIP widebodies are based on the A330/A340/A350 aircraft and the A380. Additional fuel tanks are expanding the range with most increase for the A330 Prestige.

Airbus ACJ330-200

The A330-200 Prestige offers space for 60 passengers with a range of 8,300 nmi (15,400 km).

Airbus ACJ340-300

Based on Airbus' first four engine design, the ETOPS immune A340-300 Prestige offers a 7,700 nmi (14,300 km) range for 75 passengers. It is powered by four CFM56-5C4/P engines, each rated at 151 kN thrust.

Airbus ACJ340-500

As a longer range complement to the A340-300 Prestige, the A340-500 has a 10,000 nmi (18,500 km) range as a result of having a higher fuel capacity and an updated wing with increased span and area. It carries 75 passengers and can link almost any imaginable city pair on the globe. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 556 engines, each rated at 249 kN.

Airbus ACJ340-600

A version of the A340-600 with range increased to 8,500 nmi (15,700 km).

Airbus ACJ350 -800 -900 -1000

This new ultra-long range jet replaces the A330 and partly the A340, although it is limited as any other twinjets by extended twin-engined operations (ETOPS) regulations. Airbus is aiming to certify the A350 with 350min ETOPS capability upon service entry.^[6]

Airbus ACJ380-800 "Flying Palace"

Officially, one executive variant of the Airbus A380 has been ordered. It has two full decks in the widest cabin as a standard, and as a unique feature even the cargo-deck is high enough to be partly usable as a third deck.^[7][8][9] Range is increased to 8,900 nmi (16,500 km). According to unconfirmed information from a British tabloid, the version ordered by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal contains a conference room, a concert hall, a garage, wellness and steam room as well as a lift to enter the plane and the three floors.^[10] Officially listed as "Prestige", it is often named "Flying Palace"^[11] even by Airbus.^[12]

References

External links

• Airbus corporate jets (ACJ) : Corporate, VIP and government aviation | Airbus