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Asia's budget carrier in big deals to retain lead

AirAsia's latest US$12.6b purchase of 100 A321neo jets nudges Airbus ahead of arch-rival Boeing in the order tally

Singapore

EARLIER this year over Iranian food in London, Tony Fernandes was discussing the outlines of his most audacious aircraft purchase yet with two Airbus Group executives. When it came time to pay, neither of the planemaker's top brass had the required cash, so Mr Fernandes picked up the tab.

Such loyal support for the European manufacturer has become a hallmark of Mr Fernandes and AirAsia Bhd, the Malaysian discount carrier he built over the last decade and a half into the biggest operator of Airbus single-aisle aircraft.

On Tuesday at the Farnborough Air Show outside London, the two sides announced a deal for 100 A321neo airliners, valued at US$12.6 billion, by far the biggest purchase of...

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