By Rebecca Rayko
AWN Editor

NEW ORLEANS - The Airbus Corporate Jet program has logged 26 sales to date, with eight sales recorded since the last NBAA gathering.

Launched at the Paris Air Show in June 1997, the ACJ program has not experienced the same sales success of its rival Boeing product, but this fact seemed not to concern the ACJ chief salesman, Richard Gaona.

"We don't feel we are behind Boeing," Gaona says. "We want to sell as many as we can but to sell a green aircraft is not a big deal. But to deliver an aircraft on time with the right specifications is."

Gaona refers to the completions delays Boeing and other manufacturers have experienced recently (see related story).

"Our goal is to maintain quality, not to produce as many ACJs as possible," Gaona says.

Still, if Airbus is to attain its goal of 50% marketshare for its corporate jet product, it has a long way to go. Boeing has logged more than 70 BBJ orders to date and has already launched a larger derivative model.

Airbus did record its first airline customer for the ACJ at NBAA 2000. Qatar Airways placed a firm order for one ACJ and placed an option on one more.

The carrier plans to use the ACJ on a mix of private charters and scheduled services from its base in Doha, Qatar to destinations such as London and Singapore. The ACJ will be powered by IAE V2527 engines.

IAE was selected as a business partner for the ACJ program at NBAA 2000. The standard ACJ will be delivered to customers equipped with V2527M-A5 engines, rated at 27,000 lbs of thrust.

IAE will work closely with Airbus to market and sell the aircraft.

Airbus also announced partnerships with Air France Industries and United Services. Air France Industries becomes the fifth outfitter for the ACJ program opening a new dedicated department for ACJ completions.