Airbus unit bags 70 new Mideast aircraft orders

Ghazanfar Ali Khan
An Airbus A330neo aircraft takes off during its maiden flight event in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, on October 19, 2017. (REUTERS/Regis Duvignau)

RIYADH: The European aircraft maker, Airbus Defense and Space has secured orders for 70 aircraft from regional customers including Saudi Arabia.
Dirk Hoke, the CEO of Airbus Defense and Space said he wanted to help boost the contribution of the aerospace sector to the Kingdom’s economy in an exclusive interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative.
“Airbus has won more than 70 orders for light and medium transport aircraft in the region,” he said.
Hoke said the Airbus unit has a growing presence in the Kingdom.
“We have an Airbus Helicopters Customer Center in Saudi Arabia, which ranks today as our largest subsidiary with more than 120 engineers and technicians dedicated to the maintenance, overhaul and modernization of more than 60 aircrafts,” he said.
Today, Airbus has local offices in Riyadh and Jeddah.
“We are committed to supporting Saudi Arabia to develop its position as an aviation service and support center by investing in expanding its industrial footprint,” he said.