Airbus Showcases Gala Interiors in ACJ Widebodies

Airbus is promoting its ACJ330 and ACJ340 Gala concept at the Dubai Airshow, hoping to add to its list of several potential clients. The Gala concept was conceived as a means to offer a lower-cost alternative to a full VIP configuration for Airbus widebody airliners. The design places airliner-type seating fore and aft of a VIP section between doors two and three. Airbus designed the Gala product primarily for head-of-state clients who travel with large contingents of support staff and advisors. Airbus (Chalet P16, Stand 410) began discussing the concept with potential customers roughly a year and a half ago, a company spokesman told AIN. Due to the more ready availability of A330s, Airbus expects the twin-engine model to draw more interest than Gala-configured A340s, he said.