Capt. Robert Derham, who has been flying Airbus aircraft for more than 13 years, has accepted a "long service" award on behalf of Arab royalty. The Airbus award commemorated the Ruler's Flight of Sharjah's continuous operation of an ACJ since March 2000.

The flight, on behalf of the ruler Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, operated the first ACJ with additional centre tanks in its cargo hold.

Airbus says: "We understand that the ruler is very happy with the aircraft and that he has used it extensively to travel to many parts of the world, including destinations as far away as Australia and the United States."

Comlux Aviation, which put the first A318 Elite into service, had an award accepted by Richard Gaona, the new head of the Comlux Group and a former vp of Airbus Executive and Private Aviation.

Comlux worked with Airbus and Lufthansa Technik to help shape the design of the A318 Elite cabin. The Elite, put into service in May 2007, flew more than 1,000 hours in the first 10 months.