LE BOURGET, France: Airbus said Wednesday it had received “the biggest order in aviation history” from Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo for its hugely successful new fuel-efficient A320neo jets. The airline ordered 180 aircraft, including 150 A320neos. The remaining 30 aircraft will be Airbus' standard A320 single-aisle short and medium haul jets. The firm order follows a preliminary deal signed by the two companies in January. Airbus said then that the deal was worth $15.6 billion at list prices, though Airlines often negotiate discounts. The order is the largest ever submitted to a single company in terms of planes. The previous record was an order by China's Central Aircraft Sales Corp. for 150 aircraft each from Airbus and Boeing in 2005. Airbus has seen a jump in sales of its A320neo, which it says is 15 percent more fuel efficient than the older model thanks to a new engine and modified wingtips. Its appeal has grown as fuel prices have skyrocketed this year. Airbus has now racked up more than 600 orders and commitments for the A320neo since it began marketing the jet last December. Airbus' top salesman John Leahy said Wednesday it's possible Airbus will have more than 1,000 orders and commitments for the jet by the time the Paris Air Show ends this weekend. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti leasing company Alafco said Wednesday it had signed an agreement to buy 30 Airbus A320neo medium-haul passenger jets. “The A320neo is proving to be a very popular aircraft due to its economics and low fuel burn,” said Abulqasim Abdulghaffar Redha, the company's executive vice-president. “We anticipate strong demand from leasing customers,” he added in a statement. The 30 aircraft have a list price of $2.7 billion. Alafco said earlier Wednesday it had ordered six medium-haul Airbus A350s at the Paris Air Show. Airlines were snapping up hundreds of the A320neo, an upgraded and more fuel efficient version of the A320, the workhorse of the Airbus stable. Airbus has now racked up more than 600 orders and commitments for the A320neo since it began marketing the jet last December.
