and Bousfield said Acropolis’
experience with that particular
model helped sway the decision this
time around.
“We’ve got experience on operating
CFM powerplants; we know about the
reliability of the CFM56. We go all
over the world and from time to time
we might have the odd issue; their
[CFM International’s] support network
is worldwide. You can be on Easter
Island, in Alaska or the Far East and
you’ll find a CFM rep somewhere.”
CFM’s Leap engine has also
enjoyed a smoother entry into service
than the rival Pratt & Whitney GTF
but Bousfield was quick to defend
the PW1100G, which he says played
a key role in the development of
the neo.
“The airline version of the neo
wouldn’t have come about if Pratt
& Whitney hadn’t offered the GTF
engine,” Bousfield said.“That really pushed out the bound-
aries on engine technology and fuel
burn which gave Airbus the fuel
savings that enabled them to look
at updating the A320, which led to
the neo.”
CFM was awarded 180-minute
Extended-range, Twin-engine
Operations (ETOPS) approval for
the Leap-1A on June 19 by both the
FAA and EASA. Virgin America
and SriLankan Airlines were the
first ETOPS operators, which should
ensure the engine will be in a mature
state by the time Acropolis Aviation
takes delivery of its ACJ320neo.
“With both Airbus and Boeing,
the airliner always comes first; they
ensure the airliner is mature before
they go into the corporate market,”
explained Bousfield. “We are small
operators and we demand reliability- the type of customers we fly also
demand that reliability.”
Upgauging
As the ACJ320neo enters service,
G-NOAH will be withdrawn and
offered for sale. While Acropolis
doesn’t feel the need for a second
aircraft, Bousfield said the he wouldn’t
rule out managing an aircraft on
behalf of an owner – as long as it was
an Airbus.
Bousfield explained that the decision
to go for the larger ACJ320neo to
replace G-NOAH, rather than the like-
for-like ACJ319neo, was based on
several factors.
“We originally looked at the
ACJ319neo, and the ACJ320neo was
studied a little bit later in the day,” he
said. “A big part of our charter market
is the Middle East. We have a capacity
for 60 or 70 bags on the ACJ319 and it
is never enough. With the ACJ320neo
we can take up to 140 and still have
space for 19 people. The range is
just about similar, so we went for the34 AIRLINER WORLD SEPTEMBER 2017
The company is keep-
ing details of its new
ACJ320neo cabin
under wraps but it has
released a couple of
computer-generated
impressions.
ACROPOLIS AVIATION
TOP RIGHT • Renowned
design house Alberto
Pinto has been com-
missioned to create the
interior of the new jet.
ACROPOLIS AVIATION
RIGHT • Acropolis
Aviation employs six
full-time pilots and six
cabin crew.
AIRTEAMIMAGES.COM/
SERGE BAILLEUL
FAR RIGHT • Acropolis is
the launch customer
for the ACJ320neo. The
new aircraft is sched-
uled for delivery from
AMAC Aerospace, the
firm fitting out the cabin,
in Q4 2019. AIRBUS