Singapore Airlines has announced plans to buy five A380s and 20 A350-900 aircraft from Airbus for $7.5bn.
This is the third A380 deal placed by Singapore Airlines, taking the total count of the aircraft variant ordered it to 24, while the order for mid-sized A350 XWB aircraft doubles its all-new aircraft backlog to 40.
The flag carrier will use the new A350-900 airliners on both medium and long-haul routes.
Singapore Airlines chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong said the latest order would provide the carrier with additional growth opportunities and is in line with its long-standing strategy of maintaining a modern fleet.
"The aircraft will enable us to further enhance our network, providing more travel options to our customers," Phong said.
Delivery of the aircraft from the latest order is expected to begin in 2017.
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By GlobalDataUnder the terms of the deal, Airbus will buy back five A340-500s, which will be take out of from service by the end of the fiscal 2013.
A380 can accommodate 525 passengers and are capable of flying 8,500 nautical miles (15,700kms).
The mid-size long range A350 XWB airplane, scheduled for entry into service in 2014, will accommodate between 270 and 350 passengers, use 25% less fuel compared to its rival and provide an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions.
Previously, the carrier placed orders for 20 A350 jets, which are scheduled for delivery beginning 2015.
In addition, Scoot, the low-cost long-haul airline of Singapore Airlines, signed a separate $4bn deal with Boeing to purchase 20 787 aeroplanes, as part of its expansion strategy.
Delivery is scheduled to begin from 2014 and Scoot expects to replace its existing fleet of Boeing 777-200 with 787 aircraft.
Singapore Airlines is expected to receive the first aircraft from the latest order with Airbus in 2017. Photo: courtesy Airbus SAS.
