Qantas places $9bn order for A320 series aircraft
07 Oct 2011
With a $9 billion list-price deal for 110 single-aisle A320 series aircraft, Qantas has announced the biggest aircraft order in Australian aviation history. The order also confirms the A320neo as the world's fastest-selling aircraft model. The order includes 78 A320neo planes and 32 of the existing version of the narrow- body aircraft, Toulouse, France-based Airbus said in a statement today.
The airline will select an engine supplier at a later date, it said.
The order was tentatively clinched in August.
Orders for the fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo are piling up as airlines seek to cut costs and comply with tougher environmental regulations around the world. Qantas's order takes the A320neo tally to almost 1250 firm orders and options from 22 customers from around the world.
The Qantas deal will help power subsidiary Jetstar's growth over the next decade and provide the fleet for the group's new Asian-based premium airline, likely to be based in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
For Qantas the A320neos will also allow opening of new routes such as Melbourne-Bali or Singapore-Shanghai-Beijing.
