French manufacturer Airbus is celebrating an order for an ACJ from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The RTAF is a new customer for the type and also the first client for it in the Asia-Pacific region.

The aircraft, which is already in widespread service with the governments of France, Italy, Qatar, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates, will be used to transport senior government officials. Delivery is planned for July 2004. The RTAF’s Airbus ACJ will feature four additional centre tanks, giving it the range to fly one-stop to both Europe and North America while transporting 30 passengers and their baggage.