File photo
Airbus Corporate Jets is several weeks away from the first flight of its ACJ320neo after the first A320 in the re-engined business jet configuration rolled off the OEM’s production line in Hamburg, Germany. Equipped with CFM International Leap-1A engines and registered as D-AVVL, the aircraft is expected to make its first flight “in the coming weeks,” according to Airbus.
U.K.-based private charter operator Acropolis Aviation, the launch customer for the ACJ320neo, is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft in the fourth quarter. Outfitting for the aircraft will occur in Basle, Switzerland, to include an Alberto-Pinto-designed cabin, Airbus said.
According to Airbus, the ACJ320neo’s new engines and sharklets increase the aircraft’s range to 6,000 nm. Among the differences between the corporate jet and airliner versions of the A320neo are the corporate version’s reinforced cargo hold and additional center fuel tanks.
Airbus currently has nine total orders for the ACJ320neo family, including three ACJ319neos and six ACJ320neos.
Airbus and Acropolis did not return emails for comments on the first ACJ320neo.