Airbus Corporate Jet Centre (ACJC), the innovative provider of customized nose-to-tail solutions to VIP and airline customers under Airbus standards, has delivered a refurbished Airbus ACJ319 for an undisclosed government, after a successful C-Check (10 years) and heavy work on the fuselage. This project presented a double challenge by requiring high-level communication and in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems and a new cabin configuration in a record time.
The communication systems and the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems of the Airbus ACJ319 have been entirely updated to meet customer needs. ACJC has installed a dual-broadband Internet system, using an Inmarsat connection, to provide all 19 passengers with an unrivalled 1.2 Mbps speed and quality access. This powerful connectivity is strengthened by two new Satcom antennas installed by ACJC during the refurbishment, including a modification of the aircraft’s external fuselage. The IFE upgrade includes new HD screens with an audio and video on demand system (AVOD), Blu-Ray players and the possibility to stream IFE sources on IPad via a Wi-Fi network.
In addition to the technologically advanced systems improvements, ACJC teams designed a new cabin configuration with new furniture shapes. For this government interior, ergonomics and elegance were the main drivers to match customer mission needs. This involved removing a lounge area to create a 9 seats passenger zone for delegations. The elegant cabin offers a crew-rest zone and passenger area at the front, followed by a dining area, an office with a sofa and club-two seats, and then a master bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. The carpet, some upholstery and leather were also changed to harmonize the interior, using beige and dark-red shades.
For this challenging 12-month refurbishment project, which included a 4-month one-stop-shop visit required by the customer, the ACJC teams showed their ability to provide comprehensive nose-to-tail work, including a whole cabin refurbishment, systems and connectivity upgrades with fuselage modifications for the antennas, and a 10 year C-Check, all in record time.
“At the beginning of this story, the customer chose ACJC so as to benefit from Airbus’ standards and quality. When its representative entered the cabin, he was sure he had made the right choice; expressing his satisfaction by saying that now it was like a totally new aircraft, a fully customized aircraft” says Joël Frugier, General Manager of ACJC. “ACJC has proven, one more time, its ability to offer its customers comprehensive and one-stop-shop nose-to-tail services, helping them to optimize their aircraft schedule.” he concludes.
About the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre
Backed by the full resources of its shareholder Airbus, the world's largest manufacturer of modern airliners, the Airbus Corporate Jet Centre (ACJC) offers an unrivalled agility to provide customised solutions to Airbus standards. Its range of expertise includes VIP cabin completions and comprehensive maintenance services, as well as high-end cabin upgrade solutions, and now extends to the finest product developments for prestigious airlines.
With around 220 employees in Toulouse, France, ACJC has successfully completed more than 30 VIP cabins for Airbus corporate jets worldwide. It has extended its footprint to world-class airlines, addressing Airbus single-aisle and long-range families, including the A350 and A380.
