The Czech Republic has taken delivery of the first of the two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) that it has ordered, becoming a new Airbus operator and highlighting the aircraft's appeal to governments throughout the world.

Airbus' ACJ is already the preferred choice of the Azerbaijan, Brazilian, French, Italian, Omani, Qatari, Thai, UAE, Venezuelan and other governments, all of which recognise its ability to carry larger delegations than traditional top-of-the-line corporate jets.

With seating for almost 100 passengers, plus a VIP kit that can be fitted at short notice, the Czech Repulic ACJs will have a dual role - transporting troops in day-to-day operations and serving as a VIP transport when needed. The Czech ACJ is powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

"The Airbus ACJ Family's versatility means that the Czech government is effectively getting two aircraft in one which, together with its modern fuel-efficient design, is an enormously effective solution to its transport needs," says Airbus Chief Operating Officer customers John Leahy.

Airbus' Corporate Jetliner Family, which comprises the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, is increasingly the preferred choice at the top end of the market, where they have won the most sales in each of the last three years - including almost two-thirds of the business in 2006. Total Airbus ACJ Family sales stand at around 80 aircraft.

The Airbus ACJ Family benefits from the widest, most spacious and most comfortable cabin of any business jet. And with a cabin that offers almost twice the diameter and three times the volume of traditional business jets, it delivers unmatched value and opportunities, as the Czech Republic recognises.

The only all-new designs in their class, Airbus corporate jetliners deliver more through a host of benefits - such as an advanced fuel-saving aerodynamic design that includes wingtip fences, extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre, cost-saving cockpit commonality, modern fly-by-wire controls and centralised maintenance - benefits that are also shared by Airbus airliners in service today.

With more than 5,000 firm orders to their credit, and almost 250 customers and operators, the Airbus A320 Family - from with the ACJ Family is derived - is the world's most successful airliner range.

Airbus ACJ Family derivatives enjoy a remarkable reliability of 99.9 per cent, and are backed by the company's worldwide network of technical support, training and spares centres - as well as a range of approved service centres.