It’s been nearly 20 years since a commercial supersonic jet has flown, and there has never been a business one. But that’s all about to change. NetJets, the largest private aviation company globally, recently obtained purchase rights for 20 AS2 supersonic business jets.
In what amounts to a vote of confidence in the future of supersonic technology, NetJets has revealed a purchase order for 20 Aerion AS2 business jets. With 760 aircraft, the Berkshire-Hathaway company owns the world’s largest fleet of business jets.
Aerion is currently building a new headquarters in
Melbourne, Florida. The company plans to start production of the AS2 next year.
Aerion said its order backlog is valued at more than $10 billion. Each AS2 has
a price of $120 million. “At Aerion our vision is to build a future where
humanity can travel between any two points on our planet within three hours and
this new partnership is a significant step towards realizing that vision,”
Aerion CEO Tom Vice said in a statement.
Aerion and NetJets have also signed an exploratory agreement
for NetJets to become the exclusive business jet partner for Aerion Connect,
which Aerion describes as “urban and regional networks to provide a seamless
point-to-point experience optimized for speed and luxury across multiple modes
of transportation.”
“Our strategy is to connect the very best partners in the
world within a new mobility ecosystem optimized for speed and founded on
sustainability,” said Vice.
Adam Johnson, chairman and CEO of NetJets, said that
becoming the exclusive business jet operator of Aerion Connect is “a thrilling
next step” to its growth. “We will be exploring the integration of the AS2
supersonic business jet into NetJets’ global network, and we are honored to be
their chosen partner to enable the Aerion Connect vision,” said Johnson.
Aerion said it will partner with Flight Safety International
to develop a supersonic flight training academy for civil, commercial, and
military supersonic aircraft.
Part of the partnership will involve increasing sustainability
across the business-aviation sector. Aerion said the A2 will be powered by
synthetic fuel and will reach supersonic speeds without the need of an
after-burner. NetJets recently launched its Global Sustainability Program,
which also calls for investing in sustainable aviation fuel along with other
corporate and consumer offsetting programs.
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