German general aviation fleet operator FAI has welcomed an Airbus ACJ319 Corporate Jet to its fleet, its largest corporate aircraft to date. The jet will be available for lease and ad-hoc charter from early 2018 following a cabin upgrade and other enhancements.
The ACJ is equipped with 29 seats and five additional fuel tanks, enabling a range of more than 5,000 nautical miles or 11 hours of flying. The 2001-built aircraft will feature a VIP bathroom with shower and will be equipped with the latest communications and inflight entertainment technology, including high-speed connectivity and wireless iPad controls.
Siegfried Axtmann, chairman at FAI, commented, “While there is plenty of supply in the charter market up to 19 passengers, we have something very unique in this class with our 29-seat layout. The ACJ will be excellent for corporate shuttles, groups, music and sports tours, and conference and incentives – where we can fully brand the aircraft. This aircraft became available recently – it was previously under bank ownership – and we are delighted to add it to our growing fleet and move into a new market ourselves.”
The ACJ319, which offers almost twice the cabin size of a traditional business jet, will be marketed by FAI specifically to the 19-seat plus, large-cabin user market. It is anticipated that it will be maintained by FAI’s MRO subsidiary, FAI Technik.