Five Airbus A320s firmed as an order by Spanish flag-carrier Iberia last month after actually destined to be delivered to merger partner British Airways.
The A320 order, concluded on 3 May, was listed in Airbus' latest backlog figures, covering the first five months of 2010.
While it is attributed to Iberia, a spokeswoman for the airline states that the twin-jets have been ordered on BA's behalf.
"These aircraft were part of an Iberia option from 2005," she says. "We've bought them for BA."
Iberia ordered 30 A320-family jets in 2005 and placed options for another 49.
BA declines to comment on the transaction. The UK airline's A320-family fleet is primarily powered by International Aero Engines V2500s while Iberia's aircraft mainly have CFM International CFM56 powerplants.
Iberia says it has yet to decide whether the aircraft will be transferred to BA through a sale, lease or other arrangement.
BA and Iberia are finalising a merger and last month estimated that current fleet commitments would account for 7% of the initial €250 million ($300 million) in cost synergies over the first five years of the tie-up.
Lead image: AirSpace user 'flcriminal'
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
