European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced orders for 65 aircraft from two Saudi Arabian companies – the first major deals at this year's Paris Air Show.

Riyadh Air, founded in 2023, has placed an order for 25 A350-1000 wide-body aircraft.

The deal is valued at over $9 billion according to 2018 catalog prices, which Airbus no longer uses as final prices depend on specific contract terms and aircraft configuration. According to Airbus, Riyadh Air's order could grow to 50 aircraft.

Separately, Saudi leasing company AviLease has ordered 30 A320neo aircraft and 10 A350F freighters in a deal worth several billion dollars.

While Airbus announced the new contracts on the first day of the Paris Air Show, its US rival Boeing turned its attention to the investigation into last week's crash of an Air India-operated Dreamliner.

“Our focus is on supporting our customers, not on announcing new orders at this show,” a Boeing spokeswoman told AFP.

Boeing CEO Kelly O'Hara announced last week that he was canceling his participation in the biennial forum to focus on the investigation. | BGNES, AFP