The retrofit, carried out by TAP Maintenance and Engineering as part of the first such turnkey-project managed by Airbus Corporate Jets, is also the first on any version of the A319 airliner.

“Comlux has always been a leader in Airbus corporate jets, and our Sharklet retrofit highlights our innovative approach to offering customers one of the world’s most modern and handsome corporate jet fleets,” says Comlux Chairman and CEO Richard Gaona.

“Airbus has a reputation for innovative solutions and long-term relationships in the airliner world, so it’s great to have the opportunity to echo that with this one with Sharklets in corporate jets, with a leader such as Comlux,” says Airbus Corporate Jets Managing Director Benoit Defforge.

ACJ319 retrofitted with Sharklets

Sharklets act as a barrier to the flow of air around an aircraft’s wingtips, reducing drag to save fuel. They have been offered as an option on all A320 Family aircraft produced in recent years, and are standard fit on all A320neo Family aircraft. Sharklets can also be retrofitted to existing A320 Family aircraft, from Manufacturer’s Serial Number 1200 onward.

Airbus shows ACJ319 at Jet Expo in Moscow

Airbus Corporate Jets is exhibiting an ACJ319, operated by MJet on VVIP charters, at the Jet Expo show in Moscow.

Part of the ACJ320 Family, which has the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet, the ACJ319 is in widespread service worldwide with companies, individuals and governments.

“Cabins are very important in the business jet world, and the comfort, space and freedom that you get in an Airbus corporate jet has to be experienced to be truly appreciated,” points out Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers John Leahy. “Flying in an Airbus corporate jet really is a much better experience, as more and more of our customers are finding out,” he adds.

MJet's ACJ319 at Jet Expo

Airbus corporate jets are derived from the world’s most modern aircraft family, which means that they bring an impressive heritage of efficiency and reliability to the business jet world. They also deliver the features that business aviation now expects as standard in new aircraft, such as integrity-enhancing fly-by-wire controls, cost-saving centralised maintenance and weight-saving carbonfibre.

A culture of innovation keeps the Airbus family modern, with major improvements such as fuel-saving Sharklets and new-generation engines giving it the advantage in both the airliner and corporate jet worlds. These give the ACJ320neo the ability to carry 25 passengers 6,000 nm/11,400 km and the ACJ319neo the power to fly 8 passengers 6,750 nm/12,500 km.

For customers that want even more capacity and range, Airbus offers VIP versions of its widebody family. This includes the world’s newest airliner, the A350, which features a weight and maintenance-saving carbonfibre fuselage and wings.