Comlux announced the delivery of the second Airbus ACJ TwoTwenty from its Indianapolis completions center, another milestone in the ongoing project to deliver 15 of these state-of-the-art aircraft to private buyers. Hot on the heels, the third green aircraft was taken from Airbus’ Montreal assembly line in December, with the fourth arriving later this week.
The second ACJ TwoTwenty completed in an astonishing eight months after the first delivery last year. Richard Gaona, Comlux Chair and CEO explains that the third aircraft is on pace with their “exclusive completions agreement” with Airbus, set to be delivered by the end of 2024.
Comlux is also expanding its suite of services, announcing a new partnership with Pratt & Whitney this week around the ACJ TwoTwenty’s PW1500G geared turbofans. The result will be comprehensive support packages for ACJ and Comlux customers to assure a premier ownership experience for the manufacturer’s clientele.
Andrea Zanetto, CEO of Comlux Aviation, noted the broad scope of support the company has to offer private aviation customers: “This collaboration with Pratt & Whitney completes our goal of providing a seamless and comfortable buying experience for the ACJ TwoTwenty.”
But what really sets the ACJ TwoTwenty apart is its bespoke cabin configurations-more than 80 interior options are available for customers to specify for the jet’s six zones, with a total floor space of 786 sq ft-from a full-size bed to facing couches in the rear section.
Comlux has been closely associated with the TwoTwenty since it emerged in its Bombardier CSeries form. When Airbus Corporate Jets acquired the programme, Comlux developed the cabin design and took responsibility for the certification processes, leaning on innovative 3D technology and partnership with ten specialist suppliers.
Notably, the first three TwoTwentys do not have the auxiliary fuel tanks that will give it a maximum range of up to 5,650 nm, pending Transport Canada certification. These are expected to be standard from the fourth aircraft, with retrofitting planned.
With Comlux planning to expand the throughput of its completions center in Indianapolis from three jets in 2025 to four and eventually six, the company is on track for expansion. The third ACJ TwoTwenty is due to be delivered in the third quarter of this year, off the back of a strong demand for the aircraft in the extra-large business jet market segment.
Airbus Corporate Jets’ Chief Executive Officer Chadi Saade called the ACJ TwoTwenty “a game changer, offering unequalled comfort and intercontinental range, combined with economic efficiency provided by the latest in aircraft and cabin technologies.”
Comlux has the TwoTwenty welcome into its management and charter fleet, taking advantage of the lower operational costs the aircraft has courtesy of its airliner roots. The demand shift for VIP ultra-large-cabin private jets further helps this aircraft’s appeal, with Comlux noting a surge in its refurbishment services in the post-Covid environment.
It has been particularly resilient, underlined Gaona, citing the successful recovery of charter demand. He made it quite clear that such positive results had been driven by decisions taken during the pandemic. So, at a time of continued growth in the aviation industry, Comlux remains right at the forefront, delivering innovative solutions with uncompromising service for its customers.