Airbus bags $9b deal from US aircraft leasing firm

PARIS - The Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corporation signed a 9-billion-US dollar deal for Airbus aircraft, the plane manufacturer announced on Monday.

The new order includes 25 of the newest, most fuel efficient A350, the largest member of the A350 XWB (extra wide body) family.

The order takes Airbus' A350 XWB production backlog past 600 to 617, according to a statement.

Air Lease Corporation said it was purchasing the A350 XWB because of its efficiency in the long haul transport, while the "the A320neo Family is ideal for airlines operating short to medium haul missions."

Company chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said, "These aircraft will help airlines grow their businesses while simultaneously reducing their operating costs and emissions."

Air Lease Corporation will also firm up options for 14 A321neo aircraft following an earlier agreement announced at the 2012 Farnborough International Air Show, along with 36 A320neo aircraft.

The A350 XWB uses 25 percent less fuel and provides an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. It is scheduled for entry-into-service in 2014, while the A320neo will enter into service in late 2015, followed by the A321neo in 2016.