Project Phoenix Chooses Boeing 737-800 for VIP Conversion

Project Phoenix, the Dubai-based business aircraft sales organisation which specialises in the renovation and conversion of airliners to VIP aircraft has chosen the Boeing 737-800 as the ideal candidate to enter the narrow-body airliner conversion market. Its new venture will be known as The Phoenix LBJ (Large Business Jet). The decision follows a six-month technical evaluation of suitable airliners and a dialogue with potential customers.

Having selected the 737-800, Project Phoenix has issued an RFI (Request for Information) to several completion facilities in Europe, Australasia and the USA, to undertake the work.

Several designs are being prepared including a 30-seat VIP version with private office and State Room as well as a higher density Corporate version. Customers will be able to choose the number of auxiliary tanks to be installed depending on their operational range and payload requirements.

Project Phoenix President Mike Cappuccitti said the group decided on the 737-800 owing to the type’s popularity and strong likelihood that there will be an increasing number of aircraft coming into the market.

“The aircraft has all the right attributes for our program. It is a New Generation 737. It requires little in the way of avionics upgrades. It has winglets and we can vary the range and payload capability depending on our customer’s specific needs.” he said.

 A key market driver, the company believes, will be the need for fiscal prudence in future VIP aircraft purchases. “The Phoenix LBJ will represent outstanding value and quality. It will be many millions of dollars less than comparable new aircraft with no compromise in quality,” said Project Phoenix Chairman John Lawson.

The company expects a full data package to be available by late 2010 after a completion facility has been chosen following the comprehensive RFP process.

Mike Creed, VP Business Development said, “We anticipate an official launch at the 2010 MEBA show in Dubai but we are ready to start preliminary discussions with interested customers now. In fact, we already are talking to several potential buyers.”

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