Malaysian AirAsia, principal low-cost airline company in Asia, has signed an order for 50 Airbus A320 planes, along with options for further 50, the European aircraft maker said in a statement on Monday.

 

The contract, signed by AirAsia Group's CEO Tony Fernandes and John Leahy, Airbus's chief operating officer, makes the Kuala Lumpur-based airline company one of Airbus's principal clients.

 

"As the first company to adopt the low-cost concept on the dynamic market of Asia, AirAsia has achieved expectional success. We are happy that the fleet of A320 becomes the engine of long- term increase of the company," Leahy said in the statement.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2007)