Alpha Star Aviation Services of Saudi Arabia has become the first Airbus ACJ320 customer for an in-service retrofit of Sharklets - upswept fins attached to the wingtips that save about 4
per cent in fuel consumption while also enhancing performance.
It is also the first Middle East customer for the in-service retrofit of Sharklets on an Airbus corporate jet.
Alpha Star plans to fit Sharklets to an Airbus ACJ320 that is already in operation, during 2016. The in-service retrofit comprises local structural reinforcement of the outer wing, a software
upgrade to several flight-control computers, and replacement of the existing wingtips by
Sharklets.
It is also the first Saudi Arabian corporate jet customer for
FlySmart, Airbus’ performance calculation software for ipad. Flysmart can improve payload by a tonne on challenging missions,
via more precise take-off performance calculation, and delivers more consistent results in degraded conditions, such as when landing on contaminated runways.
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Benoit Defforge, Airbus Corporate
Jets MD with Alpha Star CEO, Salem Al Muzaini. |
“We pride ourselves on having a modern and efficient fleet, and adding Sharklets to our Airbus ACJ320 and adopting FlySmart will help us to keep it that way, as well as improving our day
to day operations,” says Alpha Star Chief Executive Officer Salem Al
Muzaini. “Adding Sharklets to our Airbus corporate jet also helps us to preserve the value of our investment in the
longer term, and they pay for themselves relatively quickly through the savings that they deliver,” he adds.
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Airbus also confirmed that Comlux The Aviation Group has become the first Airbus ACJ319 customer for an in-service retrofit of
Sharklets. Comlux plan to fit Sharklets to an Airbus
ACJ319 already in operation, during 2016. The in-service retrofit comprises local structural reinforcement of the outer wing, a software upgrade to several flight-control computers, and
replacement of the existing wingtips by Sharklets.
“Sharklets will enhance the look of our
Airbus ACJ319, while helping us to preserve the value of our investment by improving
performance and saving fuel,” says Fly Comlux CEO Andrea Zanetto |
Benoit Defforge with Andrea Zanetto,
CEO Fly Comlux. |
Airbus delivered its first corporate jet with production-line fitted Sharklets in October 2013, and they are already in widespread airline service.
“Sharklets are the latest and most visible signs of something that we have been doing ever since Airbus was born, which is to innovate using the latest technology whenever it brings
worthwhile benefits,” comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John
Leahy. “It’s this approach, building on innovative new designs, that ensures that Airbus continues to
deliver the most modern aircraft family to its customers,” he adds.
ACJ320 order from Middle East customer
Airbus has won an order from a Middle East customer for an Airbus ACJ320, adding to the strong presence of its corporate jets in the region.
The aircraft, which is being managed by Aviation Link of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will be outfitted with a VVIP interior with seating for 30 passengers.
“Airbus corporate jets and their wider and taller cabins are popular in the Middle East, because they allow larger business and family groups to travel in greater comfort and space than traditional business jets,” says President and CEO
Abdulaziz Al Rowaished. “As the operator of the largest fleet of privately owned Airbus aircraft in the Middle East, Aviation Link is the natural choice for clients seeking a large cabin solution for their flight requirements. Aviation Link has the expertise to help customers get the best out of the modern Airbus corporate jet family, whether they be companies, individuals or governments,” he adds.
Aviation Link already manages two Airbus ACJ319s and an ACJ320 for Middle East clients.
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Abdulaziz Al
Rowaished, Aviation
Link President, with Benoit Defforge |
“Aviation Link is well established in managing Airbus corporate jets in the Middle East, and the addition of an ACJ320 consolidates its position in this important market,” comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers,
John Leahy. “Research shows that Middle East customers want to travel in larger groups that include advisors and support staff, as well as business colleagues, friends and family, and Airbus corporate jets excel at handling that” he adds.
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