Press Release

Issued by Deutsche Aircraft.

April 23, 2008

328 Support Services GmbH has secured a VIP conversion contract for a Dornier 328 (D-CRIP) with Cirrus Group, parent of Cirrus Airlines of Germany.  The work will commence from May through to the end of August 2008 when the 32-seat passenger configured aircraft will be fully transformed to a 12-seat VIP layout.  The contract is worth several million Euros to 328 Support and all the work will be carried out at its Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich hangar facilities, including the manufacture of the complete interior including the galley, all wardrobes and side ledges.

The new interior will feature all new De Crane seats, a new large galley, individual TV monitors to all VIP seats, on board Sat-Phone, and a large toilet area with dressing room. 

“We are delighted to be working together with the Cirrus Group, one of the 328’s largest European customers,” said 328 Support Services newly promoted Head of Sales Ray Mosses.  “We are also pleased that it will be the start of a wider relationship as Cirrus expands its charter activity.”

“We have worked with 328 Support before and enjoyed good collaboration for our maintenance requirements.  We are confident they will do a good job for us with this new 12-seat VIP aircraft.  In parallel with this five month conversion we expect to do more with the organisation,” said Lutz Schindler, Technical Director Aircraft Asset Management.  He added:  “There is really nothing out in the marketplace that offers such a generous, wide cabin – comparable with the Challenger 604 – at attractive capital costs.  Depending on market acceptance, we are looking at one, maybe two more 328s to convert in this way, putting the first 12-seat aircraft into service in early September.“

Alongside the Cirrus aircraft, 328 Support is also working on a 10-seat VIP conversion for an undisclosed new European customer, which has also specified the inclusion of long range fuel tanks.  With a 2,000 nm range this will enable the aircraft to fly direct as far as Russia or into the Middle East from most European capitals.  The option to fit these tanks is only available from 328 SSG and can either be fitted as part of the conversion, or as a retrofit solution.

This will take the number of Dornier 328 ‘VIP’ aircraft conversions carried out by 328 Support to seven, including the four delivered to Mikado Capital.