Dubai: Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), the division of the US plane manufacturer responsible for corporate jet sales, is in talks with Middle East customers to sell as many as six 747-8s.

The long-haul aircraft is favoured by many regional heads of state with all but one of the nine wide-bodies sold by BBJ this year ordered by customers in the Middle East.

Asked how many 747-8s BBJ could sell in the region in the next 12 to 18 months, outgoing BBJ President Captain Steve Taylor said: “I would say it would range somewhere between three and six.”

Most of the 747-8s are likely to be sold as replacement aircraft for 747-4s, Taylor said.

The 747-8, which can fit 467 passengers on a commercial airliner, sells for $356.9 million (Dh1.31 billion) at list prices. The cabin outfitting of the aircraft is an added cost that can stretch into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Boeing is also wary how falling oil prices may hit the purchasing power of some of its biggest customers in the region. Regional governments, including in the Gulf, that rely on oil revenues could tighten their spending as prices continue to drop.

“It clearly will be connected … for a lot of the customers here in the region that is the source of income,” Taylor said.

Global benchmark Brent crude, trading at $67.79 a barrel midafternoon on Monday, has fallen more than 40 per cent since June.

Though those faced with weakened purchasing power may see some reprieve as the oil price drop also means lower operating costs for private jet owners.

Jet fuel prices in the Middle East have fallen by 34.8 per cent in the Middle East and Africa as of December 5 compared to a year ago, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

BBJ said on Monday it has sold 13 aircraft to private customers this year, the most year-to-date sales by the corporate division in the past six years.

The Middle East accounts for 30 per cent of BBJ sales so far this year and 55 per cent of the widebody sales.

“When you consider the widebodies, they really dominate the landscape here in the Middle East,” Taylor said.

Speaking at the Middle East Business Aviation air show in Dubai, Taylor announced BBJ has sold two 737 MAX 8s to Swiss-based VIP charter operator Comlux.