Czech Republic orders two Airbus ACJs

The Czech Republic has ordered two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs), joining the growing number of governments and private customers that have chosen the aircraft following an official call for tender. Total sales of the Airbus ACJ Family now stand at some 70 aircraft.

The Czech Republic has selected CFM International CFM56-5 engines to power its Airbus ACJs, which will consume much less fuel than the Tupolev Tu-154s that they will replace. Overall, the Airbus ACJs will deliver valuable savings in operational and maintenance costs to the government fleet.

A quick-change kit will allow the Czech Republic's ACJs to transport either troops or government officials, allowing the most efficient use of the aircraft. Cabin-outfitting will be carried out by Lufthansa Technik, at Hamburg.

The Czech Republic is the third European government to have selected the Airbus ACJ, which is already in service with the Italian and French Air Forces. Other governments that have selected the Airbus ACJ include those of Azebaijan, Brazil, Qatar, Thailand and Venezuela - as well as several Middle East states.

Corporate jets are an increasingly important business tool for senior government officials and company executives. They allow more to be accomplished in a day, as well as helping to ensure that officials arrive in the best condition to represent their country or to negotiate the best deal.

Aircraft such as the Airbus ACJ offer an additional advantage over traditional business jets, because they are able to carry larger delegations of 20-40 people. This simplifies travel arrangements by allowing everyone to travel together, as well as allowing productive work enroute.

The Airbus ACJ Family comprises the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, which are derived from the popular A318, A319 and A320 airliners. They offer the widest, tallest and most comfortable cabins of any corporate jet, plus the most modern design, excellent reliability and all the benefits of Airbus’ worldwide product support network.

New designs since their recent inception, Airbus' A320 Family delivers more value through a host of benefits - such as a choice of modern engines, fuel-saving aerodynamic design that includes wingtip fences, and extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre. The aircraft are also unique in offering cost-saving cockpit commonality, fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance - benefits that are also shared by every Airbus passenger aircraft in production today.

With more than 4,300 firm orders to their credit, over 2,600 aircraft in service, and more than 200 customers and operators, the Airbus A320 Family is the world’s most successful airliner range. They are in widespread service with both traditional airlines and low-cost carriers and, as the latest deal illustrates, are also increasingly preferred as corporate jets.

Airbus is an EADS joint company with BAE Systems.

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