EADS unit Airbus said Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud has signed an order for an A380.
The order for the A380, due for delivery in 2010, makes the prince the first customer for the VIP version of the new double-deck airplane.
Prince Alwaleed bin Tala is the founder and chairman of financial group Kingdom Holding Company, with total assets of around $25 billion. He ranks 13th on the list of billionaires compiled by Forbesmagazine and is the only private owner of a Boeing 747-400.
The companies announced the order at the five-day Dubai air show, which is hosting 850 exhibitors from 50 countries.