The Airbus A319CJ Corporate Jet has begun making its mark on the VIP transportation market as first customers put their aircraft into service. A total of 18 Airbus A319CJs are on order, according to Airbus officials.

Airbus leased back an A319CJ from a customer to display at Farnborough 2000. It arrived on Monday and remained on the show's static line for the next two days. The aircraft is one of two ordered by the Al Kharafi Group of Kuwait and managed by UK's Twinjet. The second is yet to be delivered. Twinjet charters out the A319CJ when its owner does not require it.

Other A319CJ owners include the Italian Air Force, which has one in service and a second on order. DaimlerChrysler uses its A319CJ for four roundtrips weekly between headquarters facilities in Pontiac, Michigan and Stuttgart, Germany. Airbus also has sold A319CJs to the Al Mouawad Group and SAPO, a luxury airline.

The A319CJ can carry 58 passengers and has a maximum range of 6,300 nmi. It cruises at altitudes up to 41,000 ft. and at speeds of Mach 0.82. It is easily convertible back to airline configuration.

By Paul Proctor