Airbus ACJ330-300 launch customer K5-Aviation of Germany has tapped Netherlands-based Fokker Techniek to perform the VIP completion on this aircraft, which was delivered earlier this week. This will be Fokker’s first widebody bizliner completion, though the operator and MRO have “a rich history” of past projects, according to K5.
“We have been accustomed to their skills in previous projects and will need the same during the ACJ330 outfit,” said K5 managing director and pilot Erik Scheidt, calling the Dutch company “focused on delivering a great end result.”
Preparations are underway at Fokker for the induction, and the company is “excited to show the market that Fokker Techniek can handle widebody conversions,” said co-CEO Roland van Dijk. Redelivery to K5 is slated for 2024, Fokker’s Robert Koolen told AIN.
With a slightly longer fuselage than the in-service ACJ330-200—208 feet versus 193 feet)—the -300 offers more than 2,600 sq ft of interior space that will be the canvas for what K5 calls a “modern, stylish design.” Available for charter after being completed, the twinjet’s 8,650-nm range can link Europe to Australia nonstop.
K5-Aviation’s ACJ fleet, Europe’s largest, includes four ACJ319s and one ACJ350-900.
Meanwhile, Fokker is expanding its staff to meet growing demand across its completion and conversion services, said van Dijk. “Our order book demands additional workforce and an increase of in-house activities."