CITILINK, the low cost subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia, has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 A320neo (new engine option) aircraft.

The contract, signed in December 2012, represents the first direct purchase by Citilink from Airbus.

It follows an order placed in 2011 by Garuda Indonesia for 15 A320ceo (current engine option) and 10 A320neo aircraft for operation by Citilink.

Citilink already operates a fleet of 12 leased A320s on its fast growing domestic network.

“The A320 has played a key role in the recent success of Citilink” said Mr. Arif Wibowo, Citilink chief executive officer.

John Leahy, chief operating officer, customers, Airbus, added: “We are pleased to welcome Citilink as a new customer of Airbus.

“The order underscores the A320 family’s position as the preferred choice for full service and low cost carriers worldwide, both with the current and new engine options.”

Incorporating new engines and large ‘sharklet’ wing tip devices, the A320neo family will deliver fuel savings of 15%. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid-size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year.

With close to 8,900 aircraft ordered and more than 5,300 aircraft delivered to in excess of 380 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 family is the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family.

Airbus employs more than 6,000 staff at its Broughton wing-making plant, near Chester.