Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

For many prospective Middle East private aviation consumers, this year’s Dubai Airshow will present the first chance to see both the latest ACJ A320neo and the ACJ TwoTwenty from Airbus. The airliner-sized VIP aircraft both offer the sort of space and luxury that high-net-worth travelers in the region have historically craved.

 


Airbus Corporate Jets (Stand 1050) launched the ACJ TwoTwenty last year and, with six orders on the books, the first fuselage arrived at the company’s final assembly line in Montreal in May. In December, the first of the new ACJ model, based on the airframer’s A220-100 narrowbody airliner (formerly the Bombardier CSeries) will go to Comlux, which is in charge of fitting the cabin interior.

 


Comlux has bought the first two examples of the new ACJ for its charter fleet and won the contract to complete the first 15 aircraft, which the companies expect to enter service early in 2023. “The world is discovering the TwoTwenty,” Comlux chairman Richard Gaona told AIN at last month’s NBAA show in Las Vegas, with most interest “coming from Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Dassault [customers].”

 


Airbus also refers to the ACJ TwoTwenty as the “Xtra Large Bizjet” and introduced it for owners of existing large-cabin private jets who want more space at what it says is a similar price (around $72 million). &nbsp;

 


The ACJ TwoTwenty offers six VIP living areas for up to 19 passengers and a 5,650-nm range, but at a price that Airbus Corporate Jets executives say will be less than that of an ultra-long-range business jet. After a challenging year in 2020, when ACJ delivered six of its aircraft, the company says new orders have since recovered, including&nbsp;for the ACJ320neo.

 


The ACJ320neo on display in Dubai this week comes from the fleet of European operator&nbsp;Acropolis Aviation. It is equipped to carry 19 passengers on long-haul flights of up to 12 hours, with several distinct zones including an open-plan forward lounge and a private bedroom with an en-suite shower. The aircraft traces its lineage to&nbsp;Airbus's current production A320neo family of single-aisle airliners.

 


Last month Airbus announced a partnership agreement with Latécoère Interconnection Systems to develop an ACJ Smart LiFi (light fidelity) Monitor for its business jets. Designed as a plug-and-play system, the 4K monitor will incorporate the latest wireless communication technology to offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LiFi connectivity and provide for analog audio output and USB-C&nbsp;ports, as well as HDMI connections.

 


The system allows for use of&nbsp;on-demand audio-video,&nbsp;casting, mirroring, web browsing, live TV, and videoconferencing. Airbus Corporate Jets will offer the monitor for retrofit and new cabin outfitting by year-end.

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.

Airbus Offers First Glimpse At ACJ TwoTwenty and ACJ320neo

Airbus Corporate Jets says the VIP versions of its A320 and A220 single-aisle airliners offer more space for the same price as large-cabin business jets.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

Trump calls for a ban on Bombardier products

Amid Trade War, Trump Takes Aim at Bombardier Once More

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

Kepplair Starts Converting ATR 72 Into Water Bombers

Curt Epstein

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

GAMA: Bizjets, T-props, and Rotorcraft Deliveries Up

Hanneke Weitering

Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

Regent Flies Electric Seaglider with Crew for First Time

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Deal to close this year

Bombardier To Grow Manufacturing Capacity with MHICA Buy

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

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

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Aircraft