German-based maintenance and refurbishment company 328 Support Services has started work on installing a 12-seat VIP interior in a Dornier 328JET regional aircraft.
The company is following the lead of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, which is converting out-of-production BAE 146 and Avro RJ regional jets for the VIP market.
Belonging to Aviando Services of Miami, Florida, the aircraft is now at Operpfaffenhofen Airport, near Munich, where it is being fitted in a six-month programme with what’s described as the most advanced interior ever applied to the 328JET. On completion it will return to corporate transport duties in North and South America.
The new cabin will include a sidewall with electric window blinds, noise-reduction measures and two satellite phones. Inflight entertainment will be delivered by an Audio International digital system to eight individual screens beside each DeCrane Aircraft soft-leather VIP seat, two 20in units on the forward and aft bulkheads, and a dropdown 32in widescreen unit. UK-based CTM Design is responsible for the interior design.
In addition to the refurbishment, 328 Support Services will install long-range fuel tanks to boost range to 2,000nm and carry out heavy maintenance checks and other modifications.
The Aviando project is the company’s second 328JET VIP conversion. It has just completed switching an aircraft from a 32-seat air transport layout to 12-seat VIP configuration for German luxury charter operator DC Aviation.
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