The future German government A350s

Last year, the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, became the first customer of the ACJ350, the VIP version of the long-haul aircraft. The aircraft is a real renewal in terms of fuel consumption and comfort.

Merkel using the Luftwaffe A340 (credits:AFP)

Ordered on May 20, 2019, the two A350-900s will replace the current A340-300s. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2020 and the other two in 2022. The two A340s used for the Chancellor's international travel come from Lufthansa and were fitted out in 2011.

The German Air Force also has 2 ACJ319, a VIP variant of the single-aisle aircraft.

A modern and comfortable aircraft 

The ACJ350-900 XWB can carry 25 passengers over 11,100 nm/20,550 km and remain in flight for more than 22 hours in its ultra-long range version. The aircraft is therefore capable of a non-stop round-the-world flight.

Inside the German aircraft 

Inside the aircraft (source:König)

The cabin will be a VIP cabin, with business class seats, a lounge, a work room and a room for the Chancellor.
The Easyfit concept for ACJ aircraft with pre-installed mounting points and standard interfaces for partitions and equipment in the CFRP (carbon fiber) fuselage makes cabin equipment much easier.

The world's most modern VIP wide-body aircraft benefits from more than 70% of advanced materials, combining carbon (53%), titanium and modern aluminium alloys to create a lighter and more economical aircraft, while reducing maintenance requirements. The latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines are quieter and more efficient.

The ACJ350 (source:Airbus)

As an anecdote, the former German government aircraft is now the Air Zero G, operated by Novespace, a subsidiary of CNES.