Airbus is in negotiations with governments and private customers from the Middle East, its largest market globally for corporate jets, for potential orders of its ACJ350 business jets.
The European plane maker expects to receive a decision about the potential orders for its widebody corporate jet by next year, Benoit Defforge, president of Airbus Corporate Jets, told The National on Sunday.
"We have several discussions ongoing in the time being, both on the private side and the government side for the Middle East," Mr Defforge said in Dubai. “It’s new technology compared to the [Boeing] 777, which is an old-fashioned aircraft, so the A350 is the most modern twin-aisle aircraft in the market and will be a big success in the Airbus Corporate Jets side.”
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The Middle East is home to about 60 of the 190 Airbus corporate jets currently in service worldwide. These 60 jets comprise about 40 ACJ320 family aircraft and around 20 widebodies. The region, home to the world's largest commercial widebody fleet operated by Dubai-based Emirates, is a key market for Airbus ACJ350s and ACJ330neos widebody corporate jets.
The cycle of demand for corporate jets is currently in an "intermediate" stage but Airbus is "positive" in its outlook for this segment next year, Mr Defforge said.
A growing number of ultra-wealthy individuals and a rise in the number of private and government entities requiring private jets for business trips is putting a shine on the outlook, he said, cautioning that this also depends on external factors such as geopolitics or the health of the global economy.
Rising trade tensions are hurting the global economy while implemented and threatened trade tariffs could wipe out a third of global gross domestic product by 2020, the IMF warned in December.
Airbus expects to deliver seven corporate jets to customers next year compared to three planes in 2018, Mr Defforge said, declining to reveal the types of customers or geographies.
Mr Defforge was speaking in Dubai ahead of the Middle East business aviation show held in the emirate December 10 to 12.
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PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
