Aerion appoints Axon as Russian sales agent for supersonic AS2

Aerion is stepping up its international sales effort, with the appointment of Axon Aviation as exclusive representative for the AS2 supersonic business jet in Russia.

This is the third sales agent selection for the Reno, Nevada-based developer in less than a year. Sparkle Roll and Equus Global Aviation are now promoting the proposed Mach 1.5-capable aircraft to the Greater China and South/Central American markets, respectively, ahead of planned service entry in 2023.

“The 4,750nm [8,800km-range] AS2 can fly nonstop from Moscow to Seattle, Singapore, Tokyo and Johannesburg,” says Axon co-founder NikiRokni, “combining high subsonic portions over land and supersonic segments over water.”

Aerion Corporation

Aerion will not disclose the size of the AS2 orderbook. The only publicly announced sale so far is to US operator Flexjet. The factional ownership company in November 2015 became the first fleet customer for the 12-passenger aircraft, with an order for 20 of the type.

Aerion plans to relaunch the AS2 development programme with a refreshed design concept in 2016. This will update the aircraft’s original twinjet design with a trijet configuration. Engine selection should be made before the end of June, the company says, with a first flight expected in 2021.