PARIS (AP) — Irish leasing company AWAS has signed a contract to buy 75 Airbus aircraft from the single-aisle A320 family, the European plane-making consortium said Wednesday.
Airbus did not provide financial details for the AWAS transaction. But it said in a statement that the order would give AWAS a portfolio of 145 Airbus single-aisle and long-range planes.
Franklin L. Pray, AWAS' president and CEO, said the ''deal further diversifies our fleet and allows AWAS to meet current and future demand from our customers for highly fuel efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.''
In December, AWAS, which leases aircraft to airlines, ordered 31 Boeing single-aisle 737-800 jets.
Chicago-based Boeing Co. has said it sold 1,413 commercial jets in 2007 while delivering 441 planes _ its best showing in six years. Airbus is expected to results for both orders and deliveries on Jan. 16.
On Monday, Deutsche Bank predicted weaker commercial jet orders in 2008, downgrading its rating for Airbus' parent company to ''sell'' from ''hold.''
Shares at Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV fell 1.3 percent to 19.11 euros ($28.10) on Wednesday.
