Airbus chose JetExpo’2016 at Moscow-Vnukovo Airport to display an ACJ319 operated by MJet and to promote the ACJ350XWB with local customers, says David Velupillai, director for marketing for the Airbus Corporate Jets division. The annual business aviation expo runs from Thursday through Saturday this week.
Out of 180 ACJs in operation worldwide, 15 are either permanently based in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or owned by local operators and registered elsewhere. While most ACJ customers go for VIP jets on the narrowbody platform, every sixth sale is a widebody. “First, the widebody can take a larger group of travelers onboard. Secondly, it can cover longer distances nonstop,” Velupillai explained.
Out of 30 widebody ACJs flying ‘round the globe, at least two are known to be serving CIS customers. ACJ340-300, registration M-IABU, has been the personal aircraft of Russian business tycoon Alisher Usmanov for about four years. It is a conversion of standard passenger airliner, now configured for 75 travelers and a maximum flight range of 14,500 km (7,825 nm). ACJ340-600, registration 4K-A108, belongs to the government of Azerbaijan and flies with AZAL – Azerbaijan Airlines national carrier -- on transportation duties for President Ilham Heydar oghlu Aliyev. Outfitted by Jet Aviation Basel in 2014-2015, it can take 80 travelers nearly 16,000 km (8,634nm) .
Observing that local customers do use widebody jets as personal transports, Airbus is looking to place some new A350XWBs with them. The manufacturer managed only three ACJ deliveries last year. It launched “active promotion” of the ACJ350XWB version back in May, but has yet to secure any orders.
Vellupillai said the main target audience for the ACJ350XWB is “heads of states and heads of big corporations.” Its cabin, 5.6 meters wide and 2.44 m high, offers 270 square meters of floor space, enough to seat 75 passengers in a high comfort. “Widebodies in VIP roles are mostly used by governments; they have space for invited guests, such as heads of companies and journalists that the government officials sometimes invite to fly with them.”
When operated out of Moscow, the ACJ350XWB can transport 25 passengers 17,600 km [9,500 nm], reaching as far Wellington, New Zealand or Tierra del Fuego, Argentina without a fuel stop. The ACJ350XWB ULR with advertised range of 20,000 km [10,800 nm] can go even farther than that. “This aircraft can fly non-stop almost anywhere,” Velupillai said.
Composites in the A350XWB make up 53 percent of the airframe and titanium 14 percent. Using these advanced construction materials reduces structural weight and cuts cost on keeping aircraft operational. “The airframe, made largely of carbon-fiber, is less susceptible to fatigue and, therefore, lasts longer. Besides, it requires less maintenance. Checks for cracks are done once in 12 years, compared to six for aluminum airframes. And carbon-fiber does not corrode,” Velupillai said. Airbus prescribes that A350 operators subject their aircraft to checks every 1,200 flight hours; perform base maintenance every 36 months; and heavy maintenance every 12 years.
