Airbus beats Boeing
EUROPEAN plane builder Airbus was celebrating yesterday after beating US rival Boeing to a multi-billion pound order from IAG, which owns British Airways and Iberia.
The airline operator has agreed to buy up to 220 A320 aircraft to renew and expand its short-haul fleet.
IAG has placed firm orders for 62 of the jets and taken options on a further 58 to be used by its Vueling budget airline in Spain.
The remaining 100 could be used anywhere in the group, including BA or Iberia.
The benefits that the merger of BA, Iberia and Vueling brings to all our airlines are highlighted once again
IAG said it had negotiated a “very substantial discount” on the £12.9billion list price of the aircraft.
“The benefits that the merger of BA, Iberia and Vueling brings to all our airlines are highlighted once again,” said chief executive Willie Walsh.
IAG has been reducing the number of Boeing aircraft in its shorthaul fleet but remains a key customer of the US manufacturer for its long-haul fleet.
Analysts said the deal highlighted the importance of Vueling to the group as it battles to turn around Iberia.
Bought in April, it flies to 100 destinations in Europe and North Africa.