PARIS AIR SHOW: Qatar Airways set to announce major A320 deal today

Qatar Airways is expected to confirm a major order today at the Paris air show for Airbus A320 family aircraft.

The order, which is likely to comprise 20 A320s and four A321s, is expected to be announced by the airline's chief executive Akbar Al Baker during a press conference at Le Bourget today. It would have a value at list prices of around $1.8 billion.

According to industry sources, while the A321s are a re-confirmation of a deal unveiled at last year's Farnborough air show, the A320s are incremental orders. The airline is believed to have obtained very early delivery slots, suggesting it might have taken over the slots of another customer who has deferred its order.

Qatar Airways is a major operator of the A320 family with over 20 International Aero Engines V2500-powered aircraft in service, and is likely to retain IAE for the new batch of aircraft.