L A R G E J E T S
thing as a commercial Boeing or Airbus
aircraft. Each aircraft is likely to have a unique
cabin interior, often with particular sensitivities
and confidentialities to adhere to. Hence there
has to be trust and mutual understanding
between client and an MRO provider from
the outset.
Waleed Muhiddin, director of business
development and marketing at AMAC
Aerospace, says, “MRO work invariably
means accessing some interior panels to
reach certain parts of the aircraft. For ‘C’
checks it may be necessary for the whole
cabin to be removed to inspect the aircraft
structure. Some high-profile clients request
security measures to be implemented, for
example perimeter fencing with agents to
regulate who is going on/off the aircraft.
It’s also important to keep the level of
communication up to date with client
representatives, on site and off site.”
Looking to the future
From an environmental standpoint, bizliners
are not a sustainable way to travel.
Nonetheless, for as long as you can acquire,
charter or operate such an aircraft for
executive, government or VVIP purposes, then
they will continue to form part of high-end
36 | BU S INE S S A I R P O RT INT E RNAT I ONA L O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9
aviation. The security benefits to
wealthy and famous individuals
are also always a factor when
deciding to use a bizliner. The
latest generation of ACJs and
BBJs are more fuel efficient in terms
of aerodynamics, engine performance
and materials, answering the concerns of
environmentalists to a cetain extent. Bizliner
flight numbers are also a very small part of the entire
aviation market.
Looking further ahead there are signs that the bizliner
sector may be early adopters of the latest developments in
supersonic aircraft from companies such as Boom, Spike
or Aerion. The aircraft these companies are developing,
with their smaller passenger capacities and intercontinental
ranges, may provide excellent platforms for VVIPs to speed
around the world in.
Top: Bizjet’s facility in Tulsa,
Oklahoma can carry out VIP
ACJ318 refurbishments
Above: Bizliners such as the
ACJ318 are often specified
with offices
Below right: VIP cabins
being assembled by hand at
Airbus Corporate Jet Centre
Completion and Services
“Just because an
airport can accept a
ACJ319, it doesn’t mean
it is set up to manage
services well for VIPs
arriving or departing”
Julian Burrell, chairman of Vertis Aviation