Airlines

Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia has ordered 34 Airbus A320 aircraft and placed option on up to 15 more of the type.

The carrier, which has been planning a fleet renewal following its initial public offering earlier this year, disclosed the deal at the Dubai air show today.

Air Arabia had been weighing both the A320 and the Boeing 737 as part of plans to treble its fleet size to over 50 by 2015.

It already operates 11 leased A320s fitted with CFM International CFM56 powerplants. It has yet to specify an engine selection for the additional jets.