Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

Airbus Corporate Jets could see its best sales performance in 17 years, with a total of eight orders and three commitments for its aircraft expected to lead to a best-ever full-year showing, the European manufacturer said at MEBAA 2024 on Monday.
“This year, we are at 11 orders and commitments. If they translate into firm orders by the end of the year, that will put us on track for a record [over the past] 17 years,” said Chadi Saade, who was appointed president of Airbus Corporate Jets in February. “This is an amazing achievement and great recognition from the market for Airbus and its products.”
However, given current market dynamics, the lead time to get an ACJ into service is anywhere between 2.5 and five years. “Actually, the trend is more into the four- to five-year [range] because of the demand," Saade explained. "If any of these customers wants to replace an aircraft before it reaches 20 years old, it's now that they need to make the decision.”
Strong traffic movements in the region have led to 30% growth in Middle East departures between 2019-23, Saade stated, citing aviation industry data provider WingX.
<h2>Middle East is Top ACJ Market</h2>
The Middle East is Airbus Corporate Jets’ most important region in the world, and Saade himself originally comes from Lebanon. He said there were a total of around 60 ACJs in the Middle East—of which around 20 are ACJ340s or ACJ330s. The region is the world’s leading arena for bizliners, with one third of the total global fleet, or 130 out of a total of 420 in-service ACJs and BBJs.
“What I can tell you is that our portfolio is divided quite evenly between governments, individuals, and corporates,” he told AIN. “And it's also the same here in the Middle East.”
Almost 50%, or 130 out of a total of 270 of the large jets in the region are ACJs— including the ACJ330neo and the ACJ350—or equivalents. The rest are ultra-long-range Gulfstream, Dassault, or Bombardier jets.
Airbus is honing its edge, as 110 of its large jets in the Middle East are aged 15 years or older, representing 40% of the fleet, and meaning that the region’s aging business jet base is poised for renewal. “We see strong sales potential in the region,” Saade said.
Airbus’ bizliner portfolio consists of the ACJ350, which can fly nonstop for 22-plus hours to any destination, with a range of more than 11,000 nm; the ACJ330neo, which offers performance of 21-plus flying hours and a range of 10,400 nm; the ACJ320neo; and the ACJ TwoTwenty.
Saade said two ACJ TwoTwentys had been delivered to date, one operated by Dubai-based Five Hotels and Resorts and the other by Comlux for an undisclosed customer.
Technology, reliability, and economics are key deciding factors for Middle East bizliner users, he said. “ACJs are very suited for the Middle Eastern market,” he said. “Customers also look for space, comfort and cargo capacity as major drivers behind their decisions, be they governmental or individuals.”
Saade added an update on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage in ACJ operations. He said ACJs generated 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023, with 11 million liters of SAF used for operations, including flight tests, aircraft deliveries, or business travel.&nbsp;
Unfortunately, Saade sees the problem with SAF as simpler than the solution. “There's not enough demand because there's not enough supply—and there's not enough supply because there's not enough demand,” he said.
ACJ’s global service center network involves five members in six locations--including two in Basel--offering MRO services, including aircraft line and base maintenance, as well as cabin refurbishments, completions, and system upgrades.&nbsp;
These often involve third-party work done by Jet Aviation, Citadel Completions, Comlux, AMAC Aerospace, and Sabena Technic at centers in the U.S., Switzerland, France, and the UAE. However, Saade said that in certain cases when a customer did not want to have to deal with a third party, Airbus was able to carry out completions work of its own.

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 Corporate Jets Poised for Record Year

Around 60 ACJ aircraft are based in the Middle East

With 40% of the Middle East region's bizliner fleet aged 15 years or over, Airbus expects a wave of orders for its ACJ aircraft in the coming years.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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

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.

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

Kerry Lynch

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.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

MEBAA 2024

In this article

Airbus ACJ Series

Airbus

More In Aircraft