Qatar Airways has ordered 80 Airbus A350s in an £8 billion deal with the aircraft manufacturer.
The deal was signed at the Paris Air Show yesterday and represents a change in Airbus’ fortunes; previously it had only received 13 orders for the mid-size long-range jet.
Although the aircraft, which will be able to seat as many as 350 passengers, is not due in the skies until 2013 Qatar chief executive Akbar Al Baker was pleased with the deal.
He said: ““I think you should be delighted that we are paying $16bn (£8bn) to a European company. Today we are really putting ink on paper for the purchase agreement.”
Airbus chief executive Louis Gallois added: “This project is taking off in the best way. Now we are at the beginning of a new story.”
Airbus also announced an order from US Airways for 92 aircraft, including 22 A350s.