AirAsia orders 100 more A320 single-aisle jets from Airbus

PARIS (AP) - Airbus says AirAsia, South-east Asia's top budget carrier, is ordering 100 additional A320 single-aisle jets in a deal that greatly increases the Malaysian-based carrier's orders for the European aircraft.

In a statement on Thursday, Airbus says the deal brings the total number of A320 aircraft ordered or already delivered to AirAsia to 475.

AirAsia currently flies a fleet of 100 A320s out of bases in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and Tokyo.

The new jets will allow AirAsia to open new routes and increase frequencies on flights to the Philippines and Japan, AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes said in a statement.