Airbus Corporate Jets

Airbus Corporate Jets, a business unit of Airbus SAS and part of the Airbus Group, markets and completes corporate jet variants from the parent's airliner range. Types include the A318 Elite to the double/triple-decked Airbus A380 Prestige. Following the entry of the 737 based Boeing Business Jet, Airbus joined the business jet market with the A319 Corporate Jet in 1997. Although the term Airbus Corporate jet was initially used only for the A319CJ, it is now often used for all models, including the VIP widebodies. As of December 2008, 121 corporate and private jets are operating, 164 aircraft have been ordered, including an A380 Prestige and 107 A320 family Corporate Jet.

An Airbus Corporate Jet Centre is based at Toulouse, France and specialises in single-aisle aircraft.

The ACJ family is based on the successful A320 family of aircraft and was based on the A319CJ. Today any version of the A320 is available as corporate jet with 180 minute ETOPS rating. Changes over the passenger versions include an increase in service ceiling to 41,000 feet (12,000 m) and the use of a variable number of removable additional fuel tanks.

The A318 Elite is based on the passenger A318. The smallest of the ACJ family, it is offered in passenger configurations between 14 and 18 passengers with a range of 4,050 nmi (7,500 km).

This model is the corporate jet version of the A319. It incorporates removable extra fuel tanks which are installed in the cargo compartment, and an increased service ceiling of 12,000 m (41,000 ft) giving a range of 6,500 nautical miles (12,000 km). Upon resale the aircraft can be reconfigured as a standard A319 by removing its extra tanks, thus maximizing its resale value. Certificated both European JAA and American FAA, the A319LR and ACJ are the only business jets approved for public transport on both sides of the Atlantic.

The aircraft seats between 19 and 50 passengers but may be outfitted by the customers into any configuration. DC Aviation, UB Group and Reliance Industries are among its users. The A319CJ competes with the Boeing BBJ1, Gulfstream G550, and Bombardier Global Express. Because of its wider fuselage diameter, it offers a roomier interior than its competitors. It is powered by the same engine types as the A320, either the CFM International CFM56-5 or the V2527.

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