Germany's DC Aviation reports a good response to the availability of its A319CJ for sky cruise holidays, organised by the Hamburg-headquartered Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Michael Kuhn, ceo, says: "By chartering an individual jet from DC Aviation, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is able to offer extraordinary routes to cities and places of interest that could otherwise not be combined through normal scheduled flights."

He adds: "With four vvip/vip A319 CJs, the company is one of the largest operators of this type of aircraft worldwide."

All Hapag-Lloyd sky cruises between December 2011 and June 2012 will use the A319CJ named the 'Albert Ballin'.

Kuhn says the aircraft has a range of up to 8,000 km or 8.5 hours of non-stop flight. He adds: "The spacious cabin provides premium business class seating for 42 passengers. The seats feature individually-adjustable head, feet and leg rests and are spaced at a generous distance of 152 centimetres.

"Their ergonomically-formed backrests provide the highest level of comfort, thus guaranteeing passengers a relaxing travel experience even on extended and overnight flights."

Kuhn says all pilots have a single type rating and flight attendants are certified by a vip excellence programme. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises says planned new routes include sky cruises to India, the Maldives, and Oman; to Central America and along the routes of the Silk Road.