Jet Aviation Basel has further underlined its position as one of the leading outfitters of large corporate jets with the delivery of its first Boeing Business Jet, yet another completed Boeing 767, and the imminent delivery of its first Airbus A319 Corporate Jetliner.

The Boeing Business Jet, handed over to a Middle Eastern customer, was an 18-seat aircraft -- and the first BBJ to be outfitted and painted in Europe. Jet Aviation is currently working on its second BBJ completion, and will accept a third aircraft before the end of the year.

The Boeing 767 conversion transformed a conventional airline 767 into a VIP transport with a unique integral airstairs added to the front cabin door. It also features a stairwell from the galley to the cargo compartment, which in turn has been fitted with a self-contained crane for cargo handling. This 767 is only the latest in a long line of Boeing VVIP conversions handled by Jet Aviation which includes 737s, 757s, 767s and even a 747-400.

Alongside its Boeing work, Jet Aviation Basel is playing a leading role in the introduction of Airbus Industrie's new Corporate Jetliner. The A319CJ being outfitted by Jet Aviation will be joined later this year by a larger A320, which will also be completed as a Corporate Jetliner.

Jet Aviation was established in Switzerland in 1967 and its Basel arm has been outfitting aircraft since 1977. Today, with 3,000 employees at over 30 locations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East, Jet Aviation is the world's only global business aviation firm. With its own fleet of over 140 aircraft, Jet Aviation is the largest provider of international executive charters­flying over 30,000 hours in 1998 alone. The company also handles FBO services, maintenance, outfitting and refurbishment, complete avionics support, and aircraft management.