Airbus secures huge order

The London-based International Airlines Group said it has secured orders and options for up to 220 of Airbus A320 family short-haul aircraft, a deal worth some $20 billion. The airlines group, parent of British Airways and Iberia, said up to 120 of these orders will be for Spanish subsidiary Vueling, which joined IAG in April. The Vueling agreement comprises 62 firm orders and 58 options. The firm orders will be delivered to Vueling between 2015 and 2020. IAG also has secured 100 A320neo options, which could be used for any of its airlines for aircraft replacement requirements. (Sources: Wall Street Journal, Reuters, 08/14/13, Channel News Asia, Bloomberg, 08/15/13) Gulf Coast note: Airbus is building a $600 million A320 final assembly line in Mobile, Ala.