Airbus provides optimistic outlook for business jets, helicopters
With a backdrop of a continuing global recovery for business aviation, Airbus showcased its newest offerings and initiatives in both business jets and helicopters at the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.
Airbus Corporate Jets showcased a new digital route it is taking to introduce its latest initiatives to the private aviation community. Through an immersive virtual reality experience, Airbus demonstrated the ACJ TwoTwenty, the latest member of the Airbus Corporate Jet family. The jet launched in late 2020 and the seventh TwoTwenty will be delivered to a U.S. customer toward the end of 2022.
“The TwoTwenty stands out in the new ‘Xtra Large Bizjet’ market,” explained Sylvain Mariat, head of Airbus Corporate Jets Creative Design. "The ACJ TwoTwenty is a complete aircraft-cabin offer to customers.” It offers three different ambiences across six living spaces.
Airbus states that the ACJ TwoTwenty will have an intercontinental range of up to 5,650 nautical miles, with more than 12 hours flight time. According to Airbus Corporate Jets, the TwoTwenty provides more than twice the cabin space of business jets in its class.
Airbus Corporate Jets also recently announced a partnership with French artist Cyril Kongo to jointly design a new cabin concept, focused on “delivering comfort, connectivity and functionality in one space, and turning the extra-large bizjet into a flying contemporary art gallery.”
In addition, Airbus Corporate Jets showcased the ultra-long-range ACJ319neo for the first time at NBAA BACE. The ACJ319 carries up to 19 passengers in four distinct cabin zones.
Airbus is also seeing continuing recovery on the rotorcraft side.
In the first half of 2021, Airbus Corporate Helicopters has registered 43 global orders for its aircraft, compared to 63 for all of 2020. The 2021 figure is spread among five models (ACH125, 130, 135, 145, and 160). The ACH160 model has received certification in Europe and Brazil, and the company continues to work with the FAA toward U.S. certification.
In a commitment to a future of cleaner aviation, Airbus Corporate Helicopters stated that its full current fleet is certified to run with a blend of up to 50 percent sustainable aviation fuel. In addition, the ACH145 was the first Airbus helicopter to run on full SAF during a June flight in Germany.
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