Gulf nations splash $15bln on Boeing, Airbus jets

FARNBOROUGH, England (AFP) — Gulf countries, rich from record-high oil prices, announced deals here Monday worth 15 billion dollars (9.4 billion euros) for the latest fuel-efficient aircraft and other passenger planes made by Boeing and Airbus.

Deals involving the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia were revealed on the opening day of the latest Farnborough International Airshow, outside London, a key event in the commercial aviation industry calendar.

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, led the way on Monday -- announcing a deal to buy 45 Boeing mid-sized passenger jets, including 35 fuel-efficient Dreamliners, worth 9.4 billion dollars.

New low-cost airline FlyDubai announced a 4.0 billion-dollar deal for 54 single-aisle Boeing 737 passenger jets, putting the US group in pole-position early on at the show in its traditional orders battle with Airbus.

However Boeing's European rival ...