Airbus forecasts more revenue from the Middle Eastern private jet market in the next year, even with the economic downturn.

Since 2004, Airbus has sold 160 corporate jets to governments, billionaires, and companies—and 50 percent of these clients were purchased by buyers from the region. 

In the region, Saudi Arabia has the majority share with 20 orders, closely followed by UAE and Qatar with 10 orders each. Airbus hopes that there will be a few more orders from the region before December.

“The Middle East is a traditional market that has sustained its growth despite the global economic downturn,” explained Francois Chazelle, Vice-President of Executive and Private Aviation Airbus Middle East. “Overall, we agree that 2009 has been a slower year for Airbus, but we are confident the markets should rebound by the second quarter of 2010.” 

Chazelle also noted that private jet sales are showing promise in China, a region that has already purchased 20 aircrafts.

Source: Emirates Business