Sales staff for the Airbus A319CJ corporate jet are asking company managers to increase their allotment by six to eight airframes per year.

However, getting the increased production is proving difficult due to strong A320-family airliner sales, according to Airbus commercial operations VP Paul Mason. Airbus holds 18 "commitments" for the A319CJ, with production nearly sold out through 2001, he said.

Arch-competitor Boeing has sold 56 BBJs.

Despite its weak sales showing, Mason called the A319CJ program "right on track" with company plans and projections. Announced customers include the Italian air force, DaimlerChrysler, owner of Airbus' member company DASA, the Al Kharafi group of Kuwait, and Air Harrods. The company has proposals out for 20 A319CJs at any given time, Mason said.

While Mason believes A319CJ production could be increased to a maximum of 12 a year, he added that he sees the market for such high-end, modified new-production airliners to be limited, and that it won't support that high a manufacturing rate.

Other A319CJ developments include the selection of a fourth cabin outfitter, Ozark Aircraft Systems of Bentonville, AR, who joins Jet Aviation, Associated Air Center and Lufthansa Technik. Airbus also has selected the Camp SP maintenance program to provide initial maintenance planning and scheduling service for its corporate jet owners. United Airlines also has established a "one call handles all" support center, which allows A319CJ operators to access United's vast maintenance, training and ground support resources.