Jet Aviation  has secured the first deal to outfit a VIP version of the 747-8I, one of seven of the latest-generation Boeing jumbos ordered by Middle East customers.

But with the Gulf's appetite for the world's biggest business jets showing no signs of slowing, questions persist over who will complete the only VIP Airbus A380 sold so far - to Saudi Arabia's Prince Al Waleed and due for delivery next year - and whether Airbus can go on marketing the superjumbo as a VIP jet.

The massive investment involved in equipment and capabilities to outfit the 551m2 (5,930ft2) interior of an A380, together with a long backlog of other large-aircraft completions, means neither Swiss-based Jet Aviation or its main rival Lufthansa Technik are rushing to take on the work.

"We cannot accept the A380 any time before 2014," says Walter Heerdt, senior vice-president of marketing and sales for the German company. "There is 18-21 months of lead time before we could touch the airplane, and we have told Airbus this."

Jet Aviation - which admits that an A380 contract would face the same schedule - will receive the 747-8 at its Basle centre in early 2012 and install the interior, for an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer, over 24 months. The company's in-house studio will design the cabin.

President Peter Edwards says the company is "excited to take on the challenge" of the first VIP 747-8, adding that the contract is "a validation of the investments we have made in technology and training to build the in-depth know-how of the aircraft".

Basle will build a full-size mock-up of the interior so the customer can make final design decisions with a 1:1 view of the cabin.

Here at the show, Airbus hit back at its US rival, suggesting delays to Boeing's 747-8 Freighter could have a knock-on effect on deliveries of VIP versions. Seattle aims to deliver five of the eight VIP 747-8s next year, with the remaining three in 2012.

Airbus vice-president executive and private aviation Francois Chazelle says the manufacturer has been in touch with all 747-8I VIP customers, but admits that the soonest an A380 could be delivered for completion would be 2015.

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Source: Flight Daily News