Le Bourget, France:
Airbus is trouncing Boeing in their race to be the world's biggest planemaker, claiming over $72 billion dollars worth of orders and commitments at the Paris Air Show, where the popularity of its new fuel-efficient jets twice broke records for the largest order ever.
Airbus CEO Tom Enders and AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes signed off Thursday on an $18.5 billion order for 200 of Airbus' new A320neo aircraft, which has proven to be the star of the aviation industry's premier event.
The order is the largest ever, eclipsing the previous record set just Wednesday by another A320neo customer, Asian carrier IndiGo. Airlines often negotiate discounts on large deals.
The announcement was made at the Paris Air Show, where Airbus has cashed in on airlines' desire to reduce sky-high fuel costs and cut their carbon dioxide emissions.
Airbus says the A320neo is 15 percent more fuel efficient than rival aircraft like Boeing's 737.
The AirAsia deal capped an impressive four days for the European jet maker, which booked orders and commitments for 730 aircraft from 16 customers. Enders left open the possibility that the tally could climb higher before the air show ends on Sunday. "The show's not over yet," he said.