Dornier 328 VIP conversion: Wide-Body Comfort... Unmatched Price

In its 6-12 January 2009 issue, Flight International ran an ad for "328 Support Services", a Wessling, Germany company that specialises in Dornier 328 maintenance, refurbishment, modernisation, and completion for VIP operators. Two pictures accompany the ad: 1) a cabin interior with large brown leather seats facing each other in a 1-1 configuration; 2) five Dornier 328 jets in a hangar.

The Dornier 328 is quickly being retired from commercial service by the few airlines that still operate it and, much like the first generation Bombardier CRJ100/200s, the airframes are being converted into private aircraft. Conversion centers such as MJet or 328 Support Services put forward price and quick availability as main arguments. Very often, customers have to wait anywhere from 16 to 24 months after they place an order before they can take delivery of a brand new business jet with a custom interior.