IA to buy 43 Airbus aircraft

Mumbai: In a major decision, the Indian Airlines board on March 27 approved the purchase of 43 aircraft - A319s, A320s and A321s - from Europe aircraft manufacturer Airbus in a deal worth over $ 2 billion.

The board, which met in New Delhi, approved the evaluation committee's report and decided to acquire A319s and A321s to replace its ageing Airbus A300 and Boeing 737s, in service with its subsidiary Alliance Air.

The A320s will help in the expansion of its present fleet and the total deal is worth Rs 10,628 crore, IA officials said in Mumbai.

This is the second major order for Airbus. The earlier one less than a fortnight ago was for 41 aircraft ordered by South African Airways for A319s, A320s, A340-300 and A340-600 worth $ 3.5 billion.

PTI