Thierry Dubois is a freelance writer specializing in helicopters, business aviation and aerospace technology. He earned a degree in fluid dynamics from an engineering school in Toulouse, France in the mid-1990s. At an unexpected crossroads, he found his first job in journalism. In 1997, he started working for French aerospace weekly Air &amp; Cosmos in Paris. This lasted until 2000, when he moved south to Lyons. He then became a freelancer, working for various aerospace publications and has been part of the AIN team since late 2000. In addition to writing about business aviation, Thierry shares responsibility for the rotorcraft section. He also is a regular on-site writer for AIN’s daily editions at international airshows such as the Paris, Farnborough, Dubai and Singapore shows, as well as at EBACE in Geneva.
In 2007, he won the Honeywell award for “Best systems or technology submission” at the Aerospace journalist of the year awards. In 2013, he won an Aerospace Media Award for the "Best Safety, Training &amp; Simulation Submission."
In other activities, Thierry moderates international conferences on aviation technology topics. Thierry is married and has three children, who seem to begin enjoying the mountains–as their parents do.

Writer

Thierry Dubois

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based National Air Services (NAS) has ordered five Airbus A318 Elites, a 15-seat, luxury version of the 100-seat-class airliner. In an announcement made during the first Middle East Business Aviation Conference here in Dubai yesterday, the operator also optioned five more of the twinjets.

NAS plans to use the CFM56-powered aircraft “to support VIP customers throughout the Middle East, including on routes from Saudi Arabia to Europe.” In addition to charter flights, the company has a scheduled service, called Al Khayala. Launched on the Riyadh-Jeddah route with two 44-seat A319s, last week it was extended to Dubai-Riyadh with a 40-seat Airbus Corporate Jetliner.

Lufthansa Technik (LHT) will outfit the A318 Elites with “around 15 seats,” according to NAS. Deliveries of the green aircraft will be spread between December 2006 and early 2008. LHT will take another four months to complete them.

The A318 Elite offers two cabin configurations with a few options. Richard Gaona, Airbus’ vice president for executive and private aviation, said Airbus and LHT are planning to cooperate to set up a mini-production line for aircraft completion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

NAS moves up to A318 Elite class

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based National Air Services (NAS) has ordered five Airbus A318 Elites, a 15-seat, luxury version of the 100-seat-class airliner.

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