Airbus wins 4.4 billion dollar deal for 51 A320 jets

FARNBOROUGH: Airbus has won a 4.4-billion-dollar order from new US group Air Lease Corporation for 51 single-aisle A320 jets, the European aircraft maker said here on Monday.

"Air Lease Corporation, the recently formed aircraft financing and leasing company, has chosen to place its first firm order for new aircraft directly from a manufacturer with Airbus," a joint statement said.

The order, worth 4.4 billion dollars (3.4 billion euros) at catalogue prices, was announced at the start of the Farnborough International Airshow near London.

The deal is for 31 A320 aircraft and 20 A321 planes, which come under the A320 family of single-aisle jets.

"With a wide airline customer base, and the continued global demand for replacement and growth, the A320 and the A321 are an integral part of our fleet portfolio strategy," said ALC chief executive Steven F. Udvar-Hazy.

"In today's airline world, low operating costs, fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness and maximum operating flexibility are important ingredients. The latest versions of the Airbus family of single aisle aircraft meet and exceed those high standards," he added.