Airbus bags two orders for A318 Elite corporate jets from Middle East client

18 June 2008

The world's leading airliner manufacturer, Airbus SAS, has said that a Middle East customer has placed a firm order for two A318 Elites. It said that the order highlights the growing success of the newest, and most affordable, member of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner ( ACJ ) Family. The Toulouse-based manufacturer declined to name the client.

According to the manufacturer, both aircraft will feature the classic VIP cabin created by Lufthansa Technik in partnership with Airbus. Both the aircraft will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

According to Airbus, the A318 Elite is the the largest and most comfortable of any aircraft in its class.

Deliveries of the Airbus A318 Elite began in May 2007 and the type is now firmly established as a successful member of the Airbus ACJ Family, representing about a quarter of the more than 100 firm orders that the ACJs have won to date.

Airbus' A318 Elite has a range of 4,200 nm/7,800 km with eight passengers, which says the manufacturer, is enough to fly non-stop from London to New York. The range is also enough for the aircraft to fly from anywhere in Europe to anywhere in the Middle East, or trans-continentally throughout Africa, America or Asia.

Airbus' A318 Elite features the same wide, tall and spacious cabin as the rest of the family, in a slightly shorter cabin length, but still has the space for a private office/bedroom with ensuite bathroom, as well as a large living area that is bigger than the entire cabin of smaller jets. According to Airbus, it is the only corporate jet in its price bracket with such a large cabin.