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AERION SUPERSONIC<br />
INTERVIEW WITH MATT CRAM,<br />
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER AND<br />
EVP, SALES & MARKETING<br />
ASIDE FROM TIME SAVINGS, ARE THERE<br />
ANY OTHER BENEFITS OF SUPERSONIC<br />
JETS OVER NORMAL BUSINESS JETS?<br />
For our part, the bigger target is to see some of the technologies that<br />
we pioneer in delivering a new era in supersonic flight make their<br />
way into widespread adoption. The AS2 will incorporate the first<br />
propulsion system capable of operating on 100% Synthetic Aviation<br />
Fuels (SAFs) and with the wider adoption of SAF’s throughout the<br />
industry, supersonic aircraft will lead the way in offering a new,<br />
environmentally sustainable means of powering flight.<br />
We think this is essential for the future of the aviation industry. As a<br />
relative start-up in the space, we have the advantage of starting with<br />
a blank sheet of paper where we can question everything and look at<br />
our impact on the environment holistically – not just the fuel source<br />
for the aircraft. We will build the AS2 in a new manufacturing facility<br />
powered by clean energy, incorporate recycled materials in the<br />
construction of the aircraft wherever possible, work with suppliers<br />
who have an environmental approach that mirrors our own and<br />
even consider what happens to the aircraft when it comes, many<br />
years from now, to the end of its time in service.<br />
WITH CURRENT BUSINESS JETS<br />
ALREADY REACHING MAXIMUM SPEEDS<br />
OF JUST OVER MACH 0.9, IS THERE<br />
REALLY A NEED FOR SUPERSONIC JETS?<br />
We believe so, because supersonic flight that is done sustainably<br />
can overtake standard commercial flights in the future by not only<br />
reducing travel time but doing so in a way that is better for the<br />
planet. Equally, we see an opportunity to rethink the entire journey,<br />
from the point of departure to the point of destination, not just the<br />
core flight where any time saved can be lost by other inefficiencies<br />
in the total journey. Through Aerion Connect we will bring together<br />
the currently fragmented elements of the journey into a singular<br />
experience that integrates with our customers’ needs and lifestyles<br />
in an ecosystem that is optimized for speed.<br />
Our plans are supported by the market - we see a growing appetite<br />
for sustainable supersonic flight – following a recent agreement<br />
with Net<strong>Jet</strong>s our order backlog now stands at $11bn+ which gives<br />
us great confidence in the market demand. Our expectation is a<br />
continued growth in private aviation and increased desire for people<br />
to spend less time traveling and more time doing the things they<br />
love. The AS2 will be the first in a family of supersonic aircraft that<br />
38 ASIA-PACIFIC BUSINESS JET FLEET REPORT – YEAR END 2020
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