Indonesian carrier Lion Air has placed a record order worth $24 billion for 234 Airbus aircraft.
Boeing is expected to respond today by confirming an order from Ryanair for 175 single aisle aircraft, in a deal worth more than $15 billion.
The Airbus order tops last year’s record order for 230 Boeing aircraft – also made by Lion Air.
The A320 family of aircraft are due for delivery from 2014.
The two orders by the Indonesian carrier would put it in the world’s top 10 by number of aircraft. Lion Air currently operates 92 Boeings.
Lion Air announced plans in September to establish operations in Malaysia to compete with Asian low-cost rival AirAsia.
Chief executive Rusdi Kirana said the Airbus order would enable the carrier to “continue its expansion”, while achieving the “lowest possible operating costs”.