Contributor - UK

David Donald

Acropolis Aviation brought its Airbus ACJ320neo VIP business jet to Dubai, where it sits on display under the auspices of Airbus Corporate Jets. The ACJ320 is the business jet version of the&nbsp;A320 airliner, with the new engine option (neo)&nbsp;being the latest iteration of the successful design. As well as providing Airbus with an impressive aircraft to promote its Corporate Jets division, the aircraft’s appearance in Dubai allows Acropolis to present the aircraft to its Middle East clientele for the first time.

 


Based at Farnborough in the UK, Acropolis served as the launch customer for the ACJ320neo, the sale being announced at the 2015 edition of the EBACE show in Geneva, Switzerland. The aircraft underwent outfitting by Basel, Switzerland-based luxury completion specialists AMAC Aerospace, installed&nbsp;a cabin designed by Yves Pickardt and Alberto Pinto. It entered service with Acropolis in March 2020.

 


Now the flagship of the company's luxury charter fleet, G-KELT carries up to 19 passengers, with lie-flat beds for 17&nbsp;and accommodations for a crew of six. A forward open-plan lounge leads to a 10-seat conference/dining room, aft of which is an intimate rear lounge and a large master bedroom with a king-size bed and en-suite shower room. The environmental system provides a&nbsp;cabin altitude of 6,400 feet.

 


Collins Aerospace and Satcom Direct supply Inflight entertainment and connectivity systems. The underfloor holds can accommodate more than 100 pieces of baggage. One area where the ACJ differs from the standard airliner is its underfloor capacity for fuel cells, permitting the aircraft to fly for up to 12 hours. The aircraft has won clearance for Cat IIIA landing minima in degraded visual environments. Being based on the A320 airliner also provides customers access to Airbus's global support network.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Acropolis ACJ320neo Flies in for Dubai Debut

The first ACJ320neo to be ordered is now in full service and is being demonstrated to potential customers in the Middle East.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

French start-up's new headquarters is located at Rochefort Airport

VoltAero Opens Assembly Facility for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Dubai Airshow 2021

More In Aircraft