Acropolis Signs For First Airbus ACJ320neo

Airbus and Aviation Week Network both published the following.

Farnborough-based Acropolis Aviation signed for the first corporate jet version of the A320NEO, valued at $125 million, with a 19-seat custom interior at current list prices. Green aircraft delivery from Airbus (Booth L089, static display) is slated for fourth quarter 2018 and entry into service is scheduled for fourth  quarter 2019 or first quarter 2020.

Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers John Leahy announced the launch of the A319ACJNEO and A320ACJNEO, to be powered either by Pratt & Whitney PW110G geared turbofans or CFM International Leap-1A engines. But there are no plans to offer an ACJ NEO version of the A321 narrowbody airliner.

ACJ320NEO can be outfitted with four auxiliary center, or belly, tanks. That’s two more than the original ACJ320. Blended winglets, branded as “sharklets,” along with increased fuel capacity and more fuel-efficient engines, boost range to 6,000 nm. That’s 43% more range than offered by the 4,200-nm range ACJ319 that Acropolis has operated since 2010.

“We will be able to fly London – Los Angeles, London – Tokyo or London – Johannesburg, plus London – Australia with one stop,” Acropolis CEO Jonathon Bousfield says.

     Acropolis Aviation's Airbus 319 CJ Interior Photo Above

Celebrating the first order for an ACJA320NEO here yesterday were (l to r) Benoit Defforge, managing director of Airbus Corporate Jets, Acropolis CEO Jonathon Bousfield, and Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers John Leahy.

ACJ320NEO has a 15% longer cabin, but the new aircraft will be configured similarly to Acropolis’ current A319. That aircraft, with an interior designed by Alberto Pinto, features a forward service compartment, including galley, crew lav and crew rest areas, three seating sections in the main cabin and an aft private stateroom with full lav, including a large shower.

Even with four auxiliary fuel tanks, ACJ320NEO still has 650 cubic feet of baggage capacity in the cargo hold, sufficient to carry 138 suitcases, according to Airbus. That’s more than double the baggage capacity of ACJ319 when fitted with three extra tanks.

Acropolis Aviation has not yet decided on a company to design and complete its new ACJ320NEO. It also hasn’t decided whether to fit it with Pratt & Whitney PW110G geared turbofans or CFM International Leap-1A turbofans.

Leahy said Airbus has already taken another two additional orders for ACJNEOs, but declined to name them or give any further details.

Flight trials of the A320NEO airliner are already under way, with deliveries due to begin towards the end of this year.

Airbus has already won around 3,800 orders for the A320NEO family which, along with the current A320 family, has booked a total of 11,600-plus sales.

Doesn’t Miss a Beat!

“It must be another order” quipped John Leahy as he interrupted the signing ceremony to answer his cellphone.

The boisterous Leahy has headed global Airbus sales since 1994 and is one of the most prolific salesmen the industry has ever known. He has travelled millions of miles, chased hundreds of deals and amassed a backlog of airplane orders worth more than one trillion dollars. He won an Aviation Week Laureate award this year for Lifetime Achievement.

Acropolis Aviation                                 Website: www.acropolis-aviation.com Twitter: @Acropolis_UK                           U.S. Phone Contact (954) 675-5891