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Saudi Prince buys A380 Flying Palace

Last updated on: November 13, 2007 20:06 IST
Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, chairman of Kingdom Holding company will become the first private owner of A380 Flying Palace, Airbus said.

The man behind one of the world's most successful international holding companies has been named twice by Forbes magazine as one of the smartest and most creative investors in the world.

Airbus' A380 Flying Palace offers more space, comfort and luxury onboard. The world's largest passenger airliner, A380 can be fitted with cocktail bars, casinos, showers and sleeping quarters.

Airbus' A380 is the world's newest airliner and it entered service last month with Singapore Airlines. While the A380 passenger edition costs over $300 million, the price of the flying palace was not disclosed. Prince Alwaleed also owns a Boeing 747-400.

Saudi billionaire Prince Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz with EADS CEO Tom Enders (L) in front of an Airbus A380 during the Dubai Air Show, 2007

Photograph : Haider Shah/AFP/Getty Images

Airbus A380 hits the skies