Malaysian airline AirAsia X intends to buy 50 Airbus A330-900neo planes

A model of the Airbus A330-900 NEO aircraft is displayed at the Farnborough air show in Farnborough, Hampshire on July 14, 2014. Malaysian airline AirAsia X on Tuesday signed an outline agreement to buy 50 A-330-900neo passenger planes from Airb
A model of the Airbus A330-900 NEO aircraft is displayed at the Farnborough air show in Farnborough, Hampshire on July 14, 2014. Malaysian airline AirAsia X on Tuesday signed an outline agreement to buy 50 A-330-900neo passenger planes from Airbus, the European planemaker said. -- PHOTO: AFP

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom (AFP) - Malaysian airline AirAsia X on Tuesday signed an outline agreement to buy 50 A-330-900neo passenger planes from Airbus, the European planemaker said here.

The deal is worth US$13.75 billion (S$17 billion) at catalogue prices. Plans for the neo, a new version of the long-standing A-330 with upgraded Rolls-Royce engines, were launched by Airbus at the Farnborough airshow near London on Monday.

Plans for the neo, a new version of the long-standing A-330 with upgraded Rolls-Royce engines, were launched by Airbus at the key industry event on Monday.

"AirAsia X, the long-haul affiliate of Asia's largest low-cost airline (Air Asia), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for 50 A330-900neo aircraft," said a statement. "The agreement sees the airline become a launch customer for the latest version of the best-selling widebody. AirAsia X will also be one of the first operators of the aircraft," Airbus added.

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