Dubai-based real estate, hospitality, investment, and philanthropy group Five has purchased what will be the first-ever VIP-configured A220, more commonly known as the ACJ TwoTwenty. The aircraft will be completed by Comlux Group, which was chosen by Airbus Corporate Jets as the exclusive outfitter for the first 15 TwoTwenty airframes.
At a ceremony announcing the deal on Tuesday at the Five Palm Jumeirah hotel, Five Chairman Kabir Mulchandani said this marks “a key milestone in the development of Five’s bouquet of offerings.” Five has selected Comlux Aviation to operate the ACJ TwoTwenty commercially through an exclusive charter agreement under Comlux’s air operator certificate in Malta.
Expected to enter into service in 2023, the aircraft—registered 9H-FIVE—will enter Comlux’s completions unit in Indianapolis in January for outfitting.
Comlux chairman and CEO Richard Gaona predicts that his company to be operating up to of 15 of the type in the future. Five’s ACJ TwoTwenty will be based at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central and available starting in early 2023 for Five’s guests, charters, and demo flights, he noted.
“We are proud to extend the ACJ TwoTwenty customer base to the Middle East. Our new extra-large bizjet will become the new flagship in luxury travel with Five hotel,” said Airbus Corporate Jets president Benoit Defforge.