NAS to become new Airbus ACJ family operator

Jeddah-based NAS is the largest provider of VVIP and executive air transport services in the Middle East, currently operates a fleet of 23 executive aircraft, and is the NetJets partner in the region. Its selection of the ACJ family builds on the success that Airbus enjoys with Saudi Arabian customers, which already own and operate VIP versions of the A320, A310 and A340 families.

The two NAS A319 Executives will feature four-abreast seating for 44 passengers, with a VIP lounge at the front of the cabin. They will fly scheduled all-premium class services between Jeddah and Riyadh, and make on-demand flights to regional destinations that include Egypt, Dubai and the Lebannon.

"Our passengers look to us for the highest standards of safety, comfort and convenience, both in the air and on the ground. The Airbus ACJ family's advanced technology, high reliability and more spacious cabin, with its wider seats and wider aisles, strongly influenced our choice," says NAS President and CEO Mohammed Al Zeer. "We were also impressed with the after sales support package provided by Airbus."

NAS' aircraft are being financed by BNP Paribas and guaranteed by the European export-credit agencies. The outfitting is being performed by EADS Sogerma Services in Toulouse. Each of the aircraft is powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

"NAS' selection of the Airbus ACJ family crowns a very successful year for us, in which we have made important inroads into airline, corporate and government markets," says Vice President Executive and Private Aviation Richard Gaona. "We are also pleased to be back in Saudi Arabia and the important Middle East market."

Airbus' ACJ family features unmatched cabin width, comfort and spaciousness, unmatched payload/range flexibility, and an unmatched modern design - all for about the same price as its competitors. It is the only business jet certificated for the public transport of over 30 fare-paying passengers, the only one with fly-by-wire, Category 3B autoland and fuel-saving wingtip fences as standard, and is backed by an unparalleled worldwide network of spares, training and support centres.

Directly derived from the best-selling Airbus A320 product line, the Airbus ACJ family has won more than 30 sales from the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with more than 20 of them in service worldwide.

Airbus designs, builds and supports the world's most modern airliners. It consistently leads in sales of large airliners - 100 seats and above - and has firm orders for almost 5,000 airliners and nearly 250 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.