Airbus Looks to the Mideast

Airbus says it foresees a market for five to 10 new large corporate jets a year in the Middle East, some of which will replace existing aircraft. The company believes "most" of the purchasers will be based in Saudi Arabia. The Middle East is already the world's largest market for corporate jets with seating for 15 or more passengers, with governments and private owners operating about 200 of them. Airbus, which currently has more than 80 such jets on order or in service, in the region, offers a line that ranges from the 18-passenger A318 Elite to the A380 Prestige, which can accommodate more than 100.