Petters Group Worldwide of Minnetonka, Minnesota in the USA has placed a firm order for five Airbus A318 Elite corporate jets, adding to a previous order for one, taking its total order to six aircraft and making it the largest single customer for the type.

Petters Group is the first US customer for the A318 Elite, which offers the same wide cabin comfort and space as the rest of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) Family in a shorter version.

“We pride ourselves on recognizing a great product when we see it,” says Petters Group CEO and Chairman Tom Petters, “and Airbus’ A318 Elite stands out from the crowd with an outstandingly spacious cabin and truly modern design. This aircraft is in a class by itself and, with US transcontinental range, plus London-New York capability, the A318 Elite is well suited to the American market.”

Petters Group Worldwide is a privately held company with investments in over 60 companies, including Polaroid, Ubid.com and Sun Country Airlines.

“Top-of-the-line customers are increasingly aware of the benefits delivered by Airbus ACJ Family aircraft such as the A318 Elite and, once they are, the advantages of trading up are overwhelming,” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy. “Our biggest challenge is keeping up with demand.”