Airbus yesterday confirmed the biggest single order of commercial aircraft in history with Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia buying 200 A320neos in a deal worth about $18 billion (£11 billion).
The order eclipsed a deal 14 hours earlier when India’s IndiGo confirmed a $15.6 billion order for 180 Airbus A320neos and A320s. The new generation A320 model features more fuel efficient engines making them cheaper to operate.
The AirAsia deal made the Malaysian carrier the biggest airline customer for Airbus’s single-aisle product line. AirAsia has now placed total firm orders for 375 aircraft from the A320 family, with 89 already in service.
“With this historic deal, AirAsia has secured its future with the ability to meet the huge growth potential offered by the Asian market,” said the carrier’s chief executive Tony Fernandes.
Airbus estimated it has sold more than 700 A320neo jets so far. There is a possibility that we will be at 1,000 by the end of the [Paris Air] show,” said Airbus sales chief John Leahy.