Airbus answered Boeing’s blockbuster 737 Max order from International Airlines Group yesterday with news that dozens of its new mid-market, long-range jet had been sold.
American Airlines and Bill Franke, the veteran American investor, said that there were deals for 100 Airbus A321 XLRs on the third day of the Paris Air Show.
Airbus, which launched the XLR only on Monday, has yet to confirm a list price for the single-aisle jet, whose range of 4,700 nautical miles will open up longer routes for airlines with smaller aircraft from 2023.
Wizz Air, Frontier Airlines and Jetsmart — the low-cost airlines in which Mr Franke, 82, owns stakes through Indigo Partners, the private equity group that he founded — will buy 20, 18 and 12 XLRs.
