AirAsia Signs a Multi-Billion Airbus A320 Deal

AirAsia stewardesses added some color. 

But the announcement of one of the largest orders of airplanes in civil aviation history was all about the numbers. 

The Malaysian airline announced at the Paris Air Show its record order of 200 Airbus planes. 

Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders 

[Tom Enders, Airbus Chief Executive]:               

"The largest-ever single order for Airbus in terms of number of aircraft involved. And the third-largest in terms of value."              

AirAsia's order for revamped A320neo jets is worth around $18 billion.   

It means Asia's largest budget carrier - which is based in Kuala Lumpur - now has more Airbuses than any other airline. 

AirAsia's CEO Tony Fernandes flew to Paris overnight to sign the deal.   

[Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Chief Executive]:             

"This deal is not about getting the lowest price. We never ever talked about price. What I meant was is that they were superb in giving us an all-round support system which gave us the ability for a small airline to go out there and compete with much larger. So, you know, it's not about price, it's about a whole bunch of things that gives you that competitive advantage."              

Airbus' orders from AirAsia and Indian airline IndiGo seem to prove the case for its decision to revamp its best-selling A320 plane - and puts pressure on its U.S. rival Boeing to decide how to update its 737.   

Airbus, Boeing and other planemakers have booked large orders at the Paris Air Show - mostly thanks to strong demand from Asia.