PARIS (AFP) - European aerospace giant Airbus announced Thursday it had signed a preliminary deal to supply the China Aircraft Leasing Company with 100 planes, a contract worth around 8.1 billion euros (S$13.09 billion) at catalogue prices.

The Chinese leasing firm wants 74 A320neos, 16 A320ceos and 10 A321ceos, according to the Airbus statement. The A320 family is a range of medium-range aircraft, with the A320neo designed to consume 15 percent less fuel.