AirAsia has drawn up plans to buy an extra 100 Airbus A320neo jets, potentially taking its record-breaking order to 300, a source with direct knowledge of ongoing discussions said.

As per a reuters report, such a deal would make the Malaysia-based low-cost airline one of the world's largest carriers and could increase pressure on Boeing to clarify its strategy for countering its European rival's plans to upgrade its A320 medium-haul jet.

AirAsia announced a deal worth $18.2 billion at list prices for 200 A320neo planes at the Paris Air Show in June, setting a record for the largest number of jets in one deal.

While the additional order, if confirmed, would take the list price of the deal to $27 billion, most analysts have assumed the airline won a discount of as much as 50 percent because of the size of the original order.

The bumper order highlighted Airbus's growing lead over Boeing in medium-haul jets and throws the spotlight on AirAsia's aggressive growth plans at a time when high oil prices and an uncertain economy are clouding the outlook for travel.

AirAsia's regional head for corporate finance and treasury Aireen Omar said, "We ordered 200 and so far there are no changes." An Airbus spokesman said the manufacturer would not comment on commercial discussions with customers that were confidential.

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News