Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines Orders 10 A320neos

Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA) has signed a firm contract for 10 A320 new engine option (neo) aircraft which are due to enter service from 2015.

The order, divided into five A321neos and five A320sneos, follows an MoU which was announced last July. The Lebanese flag carrier will announce its engine choice at a later date.

MEA chairman-director general, Mohamad El Hout, said the fuel burn savings, reliability and cabin comfort made it “a sound investment in anyone’s books”.

MEA is already a loyal Airbus customer, operating four A330-200s, four A321s and ten A320s.

The deal is another boost for Airbus which has secured more than 1,600 firm orders for the aircraft since its launch in 2010.