Sales Reach Double-Digits In Six Weeks

Airbus Industrie has announced sales of its new A318 Elite corporate jetliner (top) have reached double-figures, with five firm orders from an undisclosed multinational corporation. The deal takes A318 Elite sales to 13 aircraft plus eight options, and those of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family to more than 60.

Launched at the NBAA show in November -- when Swiss-based VIP charter company Comlux ordered three plus three options -- the Airbus A318 Elite quickly won a further five orders and five options from NAS, the largest provider of VVIP and executive air transport in the Middle East. It now has three customers to its credit.

The newest member of the modern Airbus ACJ Family, the Airbus A318 Elite makes "big cabin" space and comfort more affordable. It offers a range of up to 4,000 nm/7,400 km – allowing it to fly non-stop from London to New York or between Europe and the Middle East with 18 passengers.

All five A318 Elites will be outfitted by Lufthansa Technik, and be powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

Airbus offers the A318 Elite in a choice of two layouts seating 14 and 18 passengers, respectively. In addition to having the widest and most spacious cabin in its class, the A318 Elite features several different cabin zones, each with tables and seats that can be converted into beds.

The A318 Elite complements the larger A319-based ACJ and A320 Prestige. All three are derived from the popular Airbus A320 Family -- of which almost 4,000 have been sold, according to Airbus.

With many features that other business jets lack -- such as modern fly-by-wire controls, cost-saving centralized maintenance and all-weather category 3B autoland -- Airbus is confident the Airbus ACJ Family delivers greater value than other top-of-the-line business jets in its price range.

FMI: www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/acj/