One ACJ is enough for Acropolis

The aft lounge of an Acropolis Airbus ACJ319 (Photo: Airbus Corporate Jet Centre)

At a time when most aircraft operators are talking about economies of scale, Acropolis Aviation is very different. Its team of 28 staff all focus on one aircraft: A 19 seat Airbus Corporate Jet ACJ19.

“We are not looking to build a big fleet. We only want to have one aircraft. Our focus is 100% on doing everything perfectly on the aircraft we own,” says Jonathan Bousfield, CEO of Acropolis Aviation.

Acropolis started flying its ACJ19 in March 2010.

Although it is not looking to grow, Acropolis is working hard on its next aircraft. It ordered a ACJ320 neo in 2015 becoming the launch customer of the VIP New Engine Option (NEO) type. At EBACE 2017 Acropolis announced that it had chosen CFM International LEAP-1A engines (ACJ buyers have a choice of either CFM or Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM engines).

After a six-month tender process, it has also chosen AMAC Aerospace to complete the cabin. Airbus will deliver a “green” ACJ320neo in the fourth quarter of 2018. “The quality offered by AMAC is second-to-none. They demonstrated to us they had the skill and creativity to do this better than anyone else,” said Bousfield. AMAC will use designs from Alberto Pinto.

Acropolis aims to start operating the aircraft in the last three months of 2019 and then sell its first aircraft. Bousfield does not want to run two: ““Our job is to deliver an amazing experience for every customer and we can do that best with one aircraft. We offer a completely bespoke service for every passenger and we make it very special.”

Acropolis Aviation ACJ320neo
Ordered: May 2015(launch customer)
Green delivery: Fourth quarter 2018
Delivery: Fourth quarter 2019
Engine: CFM International LEAP-1A engines
Operator: Acropolis Aviation
Designer: Alberto Pinto
Completion centre: AMAC Aerospace