Acropolis Aviation is launch customer for ACJ320neo

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The aft lounge of an Acropolis Airbus ACJ319 (Photo: Airbus Corporate Jet Centre)

Acropolis Aviation will be the launch customer of the Airbus ACJ320neo. The aircraft will enter service in early 2020.

John Bousfield, CEO of Acropolis Aviation signed the contract for the newest member of the Airbus family with John Leahy, chief operating officer, Customers and Benoit Defforge, managing director of Airbus Corporate Jets, at EBACE in Geneva.

Bousfield says: “In finalising this order today, we are committing to providing our discerning clientele with the newest and ultimate large-cabin aircraft well into the next decade. Our current ACJ319 performs at the top of the spectrum of client expectations with the largest cabin in its class. It is remarkable that the ACJ320neo will improve even further on these high specifications and standards.”

John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, Customers, said: “I am delighted and especially proud to announce Acropolis Aviation as the launch customer for the ACJ320neo. It builds on Airbus’s long relationship with one of the world’s leading private aviation operators. We regard G-NOAH, its existing ACJ319, as an outstanding ambassador for Airbus Corporate Jets, and I am confident that the enhanced capabilities of the Airbus ACJ320neo will help to keep Acropolis at the forefront of the global private aviation market for many years to come.”

Farnborough, UK-based Acropolis began operations with the ACJ319 in 2010. The aircraft has a VVIP cabin with 19 seats.

“Our ACJ319 with its 10-hour non-stop range is extremely popular in the high-end charter market, especially in the Middle East, USA and Europe. With the new aircraft we will gain an improved range of 6,000nm/11,100km, which means clients can fly from London to Los Angeles, Johannesburg or Tokyo direct and London to Sydney with one refuelling stop,” says Bousfield.

“Just like our existing ACJ aircraft, Acropolis’ ACJ320neo will have 180 minute ETOPS and Cat 3A low-visibility operations approvals,” he added. “Importantly too, Acropolis’ pilots and engineers will benefit from crew commonality, enabling a seamless transition from the ACJ319 to the ACJ320neo,” adds Bousfield.

The aircraft will accommodate up to 19 passengers in a VVIP configuration and will be fitted with start-of-the-art in-flight entertainment. “IFE and cabin connectivity is advancing at a rapid pace and we will ensure that our aircraft has the very latest technology, and is optimally configured for both work and leisure,” said Bousfield. “We look forward to keeping the charter community updated on developments as we progress towards service.”

The new Airbus ACJ320neo will replace Acropolis Aviation’s ACJ319. That aircraft –  G-NOAH – which will become available for sale in late 2018.

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