IndiGo confirms 'biggest order in civil aviation history' with 180 Airbus 320s

Le Bourget, Paris: Airbus said Wednesday it had landed the ''the biggest order in commercial aviation history'' from India's biggest low-cost carrier, IndiGo, for a mix of A320neo and standard A320 models.

The airline ordered 180 aircraft, including 150 new fuel-efficient A320neos and 30 standard A320 single-aisle short and medium haul jets.

Airbus commercial chief John Leahy called the deal "the largest transaction in civil aviation ever done" - in terms of aircraft numbers. It left behind orders in 2005 from China's Central Aircraft Sales Corp for 150 aircraft each from Airbus and Boeing.

The order firms up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in January, which Airbus then said was worth $15.6 billion at list prices. Airlines negotiate deep discounts given as a matter of course given the size of their order.

Airbus claims the upgraded, 140-150 seat A320neo model is 15 per cent more fuel efficient thanks to a new engine and modified wingtips, known as "sharklets". The model's appeal has grown with fuel prices skyrocketing through the year.

IndiGo is headed by Aditya Ghosh.

By now, starting December last year, Airbus has racked up more than 600 orders and options for the A320neo. Leahy said Wednesday it was possible his company will have collected more than 1,000 orders and options for the jet by the time the Paris Air Show ends this weekend.