Swiss VIP operator Comlux Aviation has taken delivery of the first Airbus A318 Elite, following handover earlier this month of the first of three aircraft the Zurich-based operator has on order. The Elite will be outfitted with an 18-seat VIP cabin by Hamburg, Germany-based completion specialist Lufthansa Technik, which is due to deliver the aircraft in the first half of next year.
“we constantly strive to offer our passengers the best in comfort and service, which the Airbus A318 Elite will allow us to deliver in a new and unique market-segment,“ says Comlux Aviation president and chief executive Ettore Rodaro.
Comlux Aviation was formed in 2003 and operates an A319 Corporate Jetliner (ACJ), a Dassault Falcon 2000EX, an Embraer Legacy and two Challenger 604s. The company also has a Global Express XRS and two Challenger 850s on order and is the European launch customer for the Challenger 605.
Airbus launched the Elite in November 2005 as the newest and smallest member of the A320-based ACJ family which includes the A319 and Prestige. The Elite is available in a 14-seat and 18-seat configuration and is designed to compete in the long-range, large cabin sector with the Global 5000, Gulfstream G450 and Falcon 900EX. It has a range of 7,000km (3,800nm) with eight passengers and, unlike the ACJ, has no auxiliary fuel tanks.
Source: Flight International
