US$20 billion Airbus shopping spree caps Europe tour for Malaysia's Anwar
Anwar Ibrahim wrapped up his European tour.
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AirAsia reached a tentative agreement to purchase as many as 70 extended-range
Airbus single-aisle jets that could reach US$12.3 billion. Malaysia Airlines ordered 20 more A330neo widebody planes, in a deal worth US$7.5 billion, according to calculations before industry discounts are applied.
With aircraft diplomacy taking centre stage, the Malaysian government also said it was planning to purchase two maritime patrol aircraft for its navy, 28 Leonardo SpA AW149 helicopters, and naval vessels from Italy to bolster its security, Bernama reported on Friday, citing the prime minister.
The buying spree, particularly for commercial jets, comes as both Airbus and its American rival
Boeing benefit from trade visits and bilateral tariff negotiations.
Tony Fernandes, the CEO of AirAsia's parent company, Capital A, is planning to boost the airline' fleet with more narrow-body planes. Photo: Reuters
Boeing's bumper US$96 billion deal for 210 aircraft for Qatar Airways was announced during US President
Donald Trump 's Middle East tour in May. An order for 32 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by British Airways parent
International Airlines Group was the centrepiece of a new US-UK trade deal.
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AirAsia signed a memorandum of understanding covering 50 A321XLR jets with options for 20 more, according to a company statement on Friday.
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