Saudi Arabian private customers have ordered six A350 XWB Prestiges through MAZ Aviation. "The kind of private customer that buys a vip widebody wants the very best," says MAZ Aviation chairman Mohammed Al Zeer. "The A350 XWB offers more cabin space, more range and a more modern design."

All six XWBs will feature vip cabins and be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines but the choice of cabin outfitters has yet to be announced. Al Zeer says it is the first agreement signed for this type of aircraft in the Middle East. Selling points included the XWB's range enabling it to fly non-stop to the world as well as the wide cabin and extra floor space. Other pluses included the advanced and efficient aerodynamic design with more than 50 per cent of the airframe is made up of weight-saving carbon fibre composites.

Airbus coo customers, John Leahy says: "The deal is the largest single deal ever for Airbus corporate jetliners, and comprises one A350-800 and five A350-900s."