Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) has become the first Middle East customer to offer an Airbus aircraft for VVIP charter flights, following the delivery of its first A318 Elite. It has a further three A318 Elites and two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) on order, which will make it the largest operator of Airbus corporate jets in the region.

Thai Airways International (THAI) has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for the firm order of seven A330-300s, confirming a commitment announced at last month's Farnborough Air Show. Deliveries will begin at the end of 2011 and the newly ordered aircraft will join an existing fleet of 20 A330-300s at THAI flying to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Emirates plans to hire more than 700 pilots over the next 18 months to support new routes, new aircraft and increased frequencies.