Airbus delivers record number of corporate jets

Posted by John McHale
BLAGNAC, France, 29 Jan. 2011. Airbus delivered 15 corporate jets in 2010, worth more than $1.5 billion at list prices, setting a new record for this facet of its business. The aircraft comprised 13 A318 Elites, Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) and A320 Prestiges, plus two VIP widebody A330/A340s.
Airbus also won eight orders for its corporate jets in 2010, taking total orders to date to more than 170 aircraft. The new orders comprised seven corporate aircraft from the A318 Elite/Airbus ACJ/A320 Prestige Family, plus one widebody A330/A340. The orders and the deliveries were for users and operators in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as for private users and governments -- most of which prefer to remain undisclosed, Airbus officials say.
"Corporate jets are a largely unseen enabler of company success and growth, as well as supporting the business of government, and Airbus' modern aircraft family is a key contributor in both fields," says John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, Customers. "Like our airliner business, the market for our corporate jets is worldwide and growing, as more and more customers recognize the greater capability, benefits, and value that we offer, when compared with traditional business jets."
The past year also saw more and more Airbus corporate jets being offered for VIP charter flights, with more than 15 A318 Elites, Airbus ACJs, and A320 Prestiges now available through more than ten operators in America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
These Airbus corporate jets can carry more people than traditional business jets, as well as having cabins that are around twice as wide, which makes them ideal for carrying business teams, extended families, and government delegations.
Despite their much larger cabins, Airbus corporate jets are similar in length and wingspan to traditional business jets, can land and take-off in similar distances, and represent a similar investment.