VIP charter operator JetAlliance Flugbetriebs of Austria has agreed to acquire an A318 Elite. This follows an order in May for an ACJ.

JetAlliance Holding ceo Lukas Lichtner-Hoyer said: "The Airbus A318 gives us big jet comfort at an affordable price and will complement the larger and longer range ACJ. With all of the Airbus ACJ family having the same type-rating, we need only one group of pilots and mechanics to fly and maintain them."

JetAlliance has a fleet of 37 aircraft and operates in the U.S. and Canada as well as Europe.

David Velupillai, product marketing manager with the Airbus executive and private aviation division said that the A318 still had most of the big jet advantages at a very competitive price but carried a few less passengers and had slightly less range.

The Airbus ACJ family consists of the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige. About 70 of the aircraft have been sold to date.