HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman of Kingdom Holding company, has signed a firm order with Airbus for an A380 'Flying Palace,' becoming the first customer for the vip version of the new double-deck airliner. The prince is the founder and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) that has total assets of around US$25 billion, rated one of the world's most successful and diversified financial investment enterprises. He has been named twice by Forbes magazine as one of the smartest and most creative investors in the world and is the only private owner of a Boeing 747-400.

He is understood to have appreciated the Flying Palace's space, comfort, tranquility and ability to fly non-stop around the world. The A380 will be powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Others attractions included fuel-saving aerodynamic designs, extensive use of weight-saving carbonfibre, a common cockpit that reduces training costs, cost- and time-saving centralised maintenance, and a worldwide customer support network. Airbus coo customers John Leahy says: "It will undergo cabin outfitting at a yet to be chosen completion centre."

The Airbus 380, he says, has a floor space of 551 m2/5,930 ft2. Sales of airbus corporate jetliners, comprising the A318 Elite, ACJ and A320 Prestige, has passed the 100 order milestone. "This highlights their increasing appeal to corporate, individual and government customers," says Leahy. More than 40 Airbus widebodies are in vip and government service, he adds.

Meanwhile Al Jaber Aviation, a member of the Al Jaber Group, has placed a firm order for two Airbus A318 Elites and has signed a letter of interest for two Airbus A380s, becoming a new customer for both. It is the first company in the UAE to purchase the Airbus A318 Elite.

"We see a growing need in the region for private aviation services for the high-end market, including families and business delegations, for which the spacious Airbus A318 Elite is a perfect solution" says Al Jaber Group Chairman Obeid Al Jaber. "The widely spaced cabin zones and ease of movement around the cabin are unmatched by anything in its category." He adds: "Its cabin features separate lounge areas with comfortable seating clustered around tables, as well as a private office that doubles as a private bedroom with ensuite bathroom. The A318 Elite flies effortlessly from anywhere in the Middle East to Europe and North Africa, has the range to fly from London and Paris to New York, and is at home flying within continents such as North America and Asia."

The Airbus A318 Elite is offered in two versions seating either 14 or 18 passengers, with a common cabin created by Lufthansa Technik. Al Jaber Group is one of the largest groups of companies in the UAE, and is a major player in shipping, road transport, construction, manufacturing and logistics, and has a workforce in excess of 40,000. More large jet orders can be expected from the Middle East. Rob Wilson, Honeywell president, business and general aviation, says: "We forecast deliveries of over 1,000 new business jets for the first time in history, up from 861 in 2006."