Customers will be able to get technical advice on both their airframe and their cabin through a single point of contact C4you@airbus.com and will also be able to benefit from packaged services, such as arrangements to implement service bulletins (SBs).

They will be able to benefit from the more than 120 years of experience of a team of four dedicated professionals, co-located within Airbus’ Airtac centre in Toulouse, who will be complemented by field service representatives that are based in Asia and the Middle East.

In addition to flying fewer hours than airliners, corporate jets are typically operated by small teams, and Airbus has long recognised the need to provide additional support to complement the technical advice, training and spares that is provided to all of its 500-plus customers and operators.

The new C4you service thus adds to the tailored support that Airbus already provides to its private jet customers, through services such as dedicated customer support directors, low utilisation maintenance programmes, and flight hour services.

The aim is to help customers and operators get the best out of their Airbus aircraft, by helping them to fly efficiently, as well as safely, whatever their operation, and wherever they fly.

Airbus corporate jets share the same basic airframes and engines as the world’s most modern airliner family, from which they are derived.

They differ mainly in having private cabins and, in the case of those derived from the A320 Family, additional features - such as extra fuel-tanks for intercontinental range, built-in airstairs for airport autonomy and a richer specification.

This means that Airbus corporate jet customers benefit from the robust reliability that comes from an aircraft that has been designed for the rigours of airline service, and that they are never far from the training and maintenance facilities of other operators, almost everywhere that they fly.

Airbus corporate jets have won more than 170 sales to date, and are flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

The Airbus ACJ318 on display is operated by Tyrolean Jet Services of Austria for a private customer, as well as on VVIP charters, and features lounge areas, a private room that doubles as an office and a bedroom, plus beautiful bathrooms. It seats up to 19 passengers in unprecedented comfort and space.

“It may be our smallest aircraft, but the Airbus ACJ318 still has the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet and, with extra fuel tanks that give it intercontinental range, delivers the kind of comfort and space to which other manufacturers aspire,” comments Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “And, with a similar wingspan and length to that of other large business jets, it fits within the same ramp space,” he adds.

Airbus’ ACJ318 has widespread market appeal, because it delivers the best comfort and space in the sky while taking flights between continents in its stride. Its customers include those that acquired it as their first jet, as well as those that upgraded from an existing aircraft.

Now offered with an upgraded cabin that delivers popular features such as domed ceilings, the Airbus ACJ318 also features options such as appearance-enhancing, fuel-saving Sharklets, 

Airbus corporate jets come from the world’s most modern airliner family, which is kept young by intelligent innovation that is widely recognised as the company’s hallmark. The first business jets to fly on every continent, including Antarctica, Airbus corporate jets have won over 170 sales to date.

The ACJ318 is part of the world’s fastest-selling, Airbus A320 airliner family, which has more than 9,500 orders and around 390 customers and operators to its credit, and which is being produced at a rate of about one aircraft every seven working hours (42 aircraft a month). It is assembled in Hamburg, on the same lines that produce the A319, A320 and A321.

The aircraft painting was achieved in less than seven days and follows the recent completion of MSN001’s flight-test-instrumentation (FTI) verification. Last month the aircraft underwent its engines installation, and passed a subsequent intensive phase of ground vibration tests. MSN001 will soon start the final tests before its maiden flight this summer.

The partnership will provide a preliminary study of the different processes and raw materials available for alternative fuel production, exploring innovative new pathways and the overall sustainability of solutions.

"Air Canada has already operated two flights with biofuel and on each occasion we substantially reduced our emissions. We look forward to participating in this project to encourage the development of a source of alternative fuel in Canada. New technologies, such as alternative fuels, are one of the ways our industry plans to reduce its emissions to meet its target of carbon-neutral growth for 2020 and beyond,” said Paul Whitty, Director of Fuel Purchasing and Supply at Air Canada and Chair of the Air Canada Alternative Fuels Working Group.

Dr. Donald Smith, President of BioFuelNet and McGill University Professor said:

 “Aviation biofuels are one of the most promising ways to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, making air travel more environmentally-friendly. Airbus is a key player in the field, dedicated to finding the most sustainable fuel sources for the future of air travel. This relationship with Airbus is of great importance to BioFuelNet Canada.”

“Any new alternative fuel has to work on existing and future aircraft without modification while meeting certification requirements. Airbus supports this project to ensure that the solutions are sustainable, affordable and technically suitable for all aircraft”, said Frédéric Eychenne, Airbus New Energies Programme Manager.

In June 2012, Airbus and Air Canada performed North America’s first “Perfect Flight” over international borders, cutting CO2 emissions by more than 40 percent compared to a regular flight. The commercial flight with passengers from Toronto, Canada to Mexico City, combined modern aircraft technology, sustainable alternative fuels, streamlined Air Traffic Management and best practice operations such as single-engine taxiing.

Airbus supports the certification and development of commercial quantities of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation through promoting innovative regional projects world-wide.

The winners will be announced at an exclusive ceremony at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris on 14th June 2013. UNESCO has given its patronage to the global competition which challenges students worldwide to develop innovative ideas for a more sustainable aviation industry for the future. 

This year’s challenge inspired over 6,000 students from 82 countries to register with 618 teams submitting a proposal. The proposals had to cover one of six themes identified by Airbus as key 21st century challenges for a greener aviation industry. 

Charles Champion, Airbus’ Executive Vice President, Engineering and Fly Your Ideas Patron, said “the entries were assessed by experienced Airbus engineers who were extremely impressed by the quality of work and innovation. These talented students from around the world represent the future of our industry and I am looking forward to welcoming them to Toulouse for the final round.”

The five finalists are: 

• Australia - Team CLiMA, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, for the development of aircraft fuelled by a blend of sustainably produced liquefied biomethane and liquefied natural gas (Bio-LNG).

•  Brazil - Team Levar, University of São Paulo, for a luggage loading and unloading system for airplane cargo compartments to reduce the workload of airport baggage handlers with an air cushion solution inspired by air hockey tables.

• India - Team AVAS, SRM University, for reduced propulsion noise thanks to jet exhaust shape modification using intelligent materials (shape memory alloys). These alloys are energized by harvested electricity generated by advanced thermoelectric materials using engine heat source.

• Italy - Team Flybrid, Technical University of Milan, for an electric/turboprop combination for hybrid propulsion in regional aircraft. This system uses batteries pre-charged on ground and not in-flight. 

• Malaysia - Team Embarker, Universiti Putra Malaysia, for a self-sustaining aircraft cabin concept in which the excess body heat from seated passengers is used as an alternative source of energy to power small electronics in the cabin. 

Throughout the competition, Airbus Mentors and Experts have worked with the teams to provide guidance and support with their projects in addition to a member of staff from their university. The teams are multinational and multicultural and the students are studying a wide range of subjects from mechanical and aerospace engineering to business and design.

In addition to the main challenge, there is a competition for the best Fly Your Ideas video which the public can vote for online at www.airbus-fyi.com. The shortlisted video teams are from Australia, China, Germany, Kenya and Spain.

For further details on the competition and the finalists, and to vote for the best video please visit: www.airbus-fyi.com 

Notes to Editors

About Fly Your Ideas - Fly Your Ideas is a biennial international student competition held by Airbus, the world's leading aircraft manufacturer. The first competition was launched in October 2008 challenging teams of students from around the world to develop innovative ideas to shape the future of aviation. Since its launch, the challenge has been a vast success, drawing together thousands of students from around the world. The unique nature of Fly Your Ideas is that it gives students the chance to develop teamwork, enhance their creativity and innovation skills, and improve project management as well as presentation skills. Students have close interaction with Airbus staff benefitting from Airbus expertise and insight into the global aviation industry which currently supports 33 million jobs worldwide and is a substantial contributor to global commerce.

About the 2013 challenge: Airbus has placed the focus on innovation, and asked students to propose an idea addressing six themes: Energy, Efficiency, Affordable Growth, Traffic Growth, Passenger Experience, and Community Friendliness.  The themes have been identified by Airbus as key 21st century challenges for a greener aviation industry.

About the Jury: Charles Champion, Airbus EVP Engineering, will chair a Jury of six Airbus and Industry experts. The members will be announced at the end of May 2013.

The Competition Calendar:

• Round One - September 2012 to December 2012 (One page proposal)
• Round Two - January 2013 to April 2013 (102 teams chosen to deliver a 5,000 word report and a short video)
• Round Three - May 2013 to June 2013 (5 teams chosen to present to a Jury of Airbus and industry experts and 5 teams chosen for online video competition)
• Video Competition – from 13th May 2013 to 3rd June 2013 
• Final Presentations – 12th June 2013, Toulouse
• Awards Ceremony – 14th June 2013, UNESCO HQ, Paris

Finalist teams:

1. Team CLiMA, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia

Team Members: 5 students (4 male, 1 female); 1 South African, 1 Maltese, 1 Canadian, 2 Australian; studying Engineering – Aerospace in Australia; 1 PhD Level, 4 Bachelors Level

2. Team Levar, University of São Paulo, Brazil

Team Members: 5 students all male; all Brazilians; studying Design - 1 student is studying Design in UK, at Loughborough University; Bachelors Level

3. Team AVAS, SRM University, India

Team Members: 3 students (2 male, 1 female); all Indians; studying Engineering – Aerospace; Bachelors Level

4. Team Flybrid, Technical University of Milan, Italy

Team Members: 5 students all male; 2 Spanish, 3 Italians; studying Engineering – Aeronautical in Italy (the home university of one of the Spanish student is the University of Seville, Spain); 3 Masters Level, 2 Bachelors Level

5. Team Embarker, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia

Team Members: 4 students all male; all Malaysians; studying Engineering – Aerospace; Bachelors Level

Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and significantly cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by four per cent on longer sectors. They are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. Sharklets are an option on A320 Family aircraft. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

“We are delighted to receive our first A320 Sharklet equipped aircraft which will optimize our operating costs significantly, while reducing the environmental impact,” said Peter Foster, President and CEO Air Astana.

“With the delivery of their first Sharklet equipped A320, Air Astana will benefit from lower operating costs and extended range. Further A320 Family aircraft that will be delivered later this year will contribute to the airline’s expansion and growth plans,” said John Leahy Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Air Astana started commercial service with its first Airbus aircraft, an A320, in 2006, and is currently operating one A319, seven A320s and four A321s.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,400 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,500 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft. 

Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and significantly cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by four per cent on longer sectors. Sharklets are an option on A320 Family aircraft. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms. 

The A320 was chosen for its unbeatable economics, its unique performance capability required for high altitude airport operations and its flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of routes.

“For a landlocked nation, aviation really is our window to the world and the world’s window to us. Nepal offers explorers, trekkers and pleasure seekers a wide range of cultural, ecological and outdoor pursuits. Adding the A320 to our fleet, will help us to capitalise on tourism growth and to enhance our network using the most fuel efficient aircraft available,” said Madan Kharel, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation.

The A320 is fully equipped to benefit from Required Navigation Performance (RNP) allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly useful for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as Kathmandu.

“The A320 is the most capable and efficient aircraft that can serve challenging airports like Kathmandu. The Sharklets will deliver four per cent less fuel burn, so for a landlocked nation such as Nepal, these aircraft will be a lifeline and economic driver for prosperity. We are delighted to welcome Nepal Airlines as our newest customer,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

NAC was incorporated on 1 July 1958 through the enactment of the Nepal Airlines Corporation Act. 1962. The Airline currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. More than 9,400 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. 

The GTA was signed today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing by Li Hai, President and CEO of CAS and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus in the presence of the visiting French President François Hollande and the Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was part of a series of France-China agreements signed today.  

“We are delighted to receive a new order from our long-standing customer CAS for both the Airbus best-selling single aisle A320 Family and wide-body A330 Family,” said Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus. “The A320’s high reliability and low operational cost has made it very popular with Chinese airlines. As congestion puts pressure on airports in large cities in China, the A330 is an excellent solution as larger aircraft can transport more passengers with less flights. The comfort of the A330’s spacious cabin is also appealing to passengers. These eco-efficient Airbus aircraft will contribute to the growth and success of China’s aviation sector,” said Fabrice Brégier.

By the end of March 2013, there were some 750 A320 Family aircraft in operation with 14 Chinese airlines and more than 110 A330s in operation with six operators.

More than 9,400 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,500 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft Family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,200 orders, with around 900 aircraft flying with some 90 operators worldwide. Ever since the original version of the A330-300 entered service, the hallmark has been its very efficient operating economics. Thanks to the introduction of numerous product improvements, it still remains the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class and the family is achieving average dispatch reliability above 99 percent.

Eurocopter, another subsidy of EADS has also contributed to the disaster relief operations. Since 21^st April, two Eurocopter helicopters, EC120 and EC135, have been deployed on the earthquake site. Moreover, Eurocopter China will provide special technical and financial support to its Sichuan based private operator, Sichuan Xilin Fengteng General Aviation Company from Guanghan, for the operation of the two helicopters, on request of the Authorities, to participate to the disaster relief air rescue missions.

Airbus China has expressed its intention to contribute to the after-quake reconstruction of Ya’an through supporting students in need in the area.

A quake measured at magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck Ya’an on Saturday morning, leaving more than 200 people dead missing and more than 11,000 injured. The number of casualties is expected increase as the rescue efforts continue.