Airbus Industrie waited until the last few days of December to land its first major order of 1995, announcing a deal with Philippine Airlines for 24 aircraft. Boeing was also included, with eight 747-400s included in the order. The Airbus share of the $3 billion deal includes four A340-300s, eight A330-300s and 12 A320s. Deliveries of the Airbus wide-bodies are to start in 1997's first quarter, with the A320s following in the third quarter. The deal will help ease the recent disappointment of losing to Boeing in a $12 billion contract to supply Singapore Airlines. Malaysian Airlines had been expected on 22 December to name the winner of a $4 billion contest between Boeing and Airbus to supply wide-bodies, but postponed the announcement. A decision is expected this month.
Source: Flight International
