Europe’s Airbus has landed a record order worth $18.4 billion at list prices from Indonesia’s Lion Air, the French presidency said on Monday, adding that the deal will create 5, 000 jobs in France over the next ten years.
In a sign of the rising importance of Asian budget carriers for high-tech manufacturing jobs, the deal was announced on Monday at a ceremony overseen by French President François Hollande.
The red-carpet event mirrors a record 201-plane order for equivalent Boeing aircraft from Lion Air signed in front of visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in late 2011, sparking European claims of U.S. political pressure which Washington and Boeing denied.
Lion Air founder Rusdi Kirana could not immediately be reached for comment.
Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the most fertile markets for popular medium-haul jets built by Airbus and Boeing, as rising incomes and a growing middle class boost air traffic.
Indonesia’s 17,000 islands and relatively robust economy, well insulated from Europe’s financial crisis, have made the world’s largest archipelago a magnet for aircraft sellers.
Its domestic aviation market, serving the world’s fourth largest population, is growing at 21 percent annually.
Reuters reported last week the two leading jetmakers were scrapping over a potentially rapid new order from Lion Air.
French newspaper Les Echos reported in its early Monday edition that the order, for over 200 Airbus jets, would include many of the newest fuel-saving type of A320, worth $100 million each.
Airasia rivalry
While below a recent peak, airplane demand remains robust as airlines and lessors modernize fleets to drive down fuel costs, while emerging market growth continues almost unchecked.
However, there have been suggestions growth is cooling, prompting some carriers to buy aircraft only to lease them out.
In deals totalling $35 billion, Germany’s Lufthansa last week ordered 102 Airbus and Boeing jets, Turkish Airlines picked up 82 from Airbus and Ireland’s Ryanair is expected to sign for 170 Boeings.
The values represent official prices but in practice, strategic airlines win significant discounts for big orders.
The Lion Air order marks at least the third attempt by Airbus to woo Lion Air, long seen as a fortress for Boeing.
It is likely to throw the spotlight on an intense battle for market share between the largest planemakers.
It is also likely to add zest to a regional battle for supremacy between Lion Air and AirAsia, the low-cost carrier founded by Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes.
Lion Air is about to start up a domestic Malaysian rival to AirAsia, which has long been exclusively an Airbus operator. Some industry watchers have warned of a potential price war.
The airlines are respectively among the top buyers of Boeing and Airbus jets. Airlines rarely switch suppliers because of re-training costs and the burden of keeping extra spares, but the practice of “flipping” has grown as market share battles raged.
The Lion Air deal will be signed at the launch of France’s ‘Industry Week’ as part of efforts to boost domestic manufacturing. Airbus aircraft are built mainly in the planemaker’s founder nations France, Germany, Spain and Britain.
Boeing outsold Airbus in 2012 for the first time in six years and remains ahead this year, according to monthly data.
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