Comlux will announce at the MEBAA show today that it is to offer a forward auxiliary fuel tank system for the Airbus A321, while Comlux America, the company’s completions and service center in Indianapolis, is announcing a new partnership with a quartet of leading designers to offer a range of aircraft interior concepts.
The fuel tank modification promises to boost range for a typical VIP operator carrying up to 25 passengers by 500 nm, while a more typical commercial configuration with up to 300 passengers would gain an additional 300 nm. Comlux engineers worked with Airbus to design a forward tank to compliment the A321’s existing additional center tank options (ACTs), which are already installed on around 40 percent of in-service aircraft. The new system is expected to be ready for initial installations starting in the third quarter of 2017.
“For operators this guarantees U.S. coast-to-coast range and also the ability to cross the Atlantic,” said Comlux chairman and CEO Richard Gaona. “We will be the only company in the world with this option and it is an important diversification for our business.”
Comlux America has handled all the engineering work to support the supplemental type certificate for the new fuel tank. The Indianapolis facility will conduct the first installation in the third quarter of 2017. Beyond that, the company expects to appoint facilities in the U.S. and Europe to handle installation work for customers.
“We have been evaluating for a while now this improvement, initially for VIP customers, and we decided to do it with an industrial approach which will best serve the VIP and airline markets,” explained Arnaud Martin, Comlux operations executive vice president. “Developing this kind of industrial improvement is part of our core business and Comlux America is tailored to engineer and perform the installation of these additional ACTs.”
Designed For Success
Comlux America is set to team with leading aircraft interior designers Alberto Pinto Design, DesignQ, Unique Aircraft and Winch Design. The company’s goal is to develop floorplan and interior options for the Airbus ACJneo and Boeing BBJ Max 8 next-generation narrowbody aircraft.
Gaona rejects what he calls a trend in the completions industry to ask aircraft buyers to confine themselves to a relatively small selection of standardized cabin designs. “I still believe that when people buy an aircraft they want their own design,” he told AIN. “What we are doing is a different approach to those who are offering complete standardization. We must not forget that in the VIP world, the customer is king. If you keep them happy, they come back to you in three or four years [for more aircraft].”
Comlux (Stand A18) is preparing to handle completions for the first green ACJ Neos and BBJ Maxes starting in 2019. “We’re announcing the partnership in Dubai, because people from this part of the world are buying some of the most beautiful jets in the world,” said Gaona.
In early 2017, Comlux intends to release concept books to show prospective customers an array of cabin interior renderings developed by the four design groups. “Comlux recognizes that every client has different tastes and styles; therefore by partnering with these four design companies and working together in this unique way, both Comlux and the designers can progress opportunities and prospects worldwide while fostering innovation for all [of our] clientele,” commented Comlux America CEO Scott Meyer.
In a generally slow market, Comlux America has been picking up new work from Chinese customers, with recent orders to refurbish a BBJ and a Bombardier Global 6000. The recently expanded facility also provides full maintenance, repair and overhaul services and lately has been working on an A330 and an ACJ.
