Aer Lingus is to take up an option to buy four Airbus A320-200 planes to add to its short-haul fleet.
The airline says that under its agreement with Airbus, the total price for the four planes would have been $226.8m. But Aer Lingus will pay less than this after obtaining 'certain price concessions' from Airbus.
The four aircraft are due to be delivered between late 2010 and early 2011. Aer Lingus will decide on how to finance the purchase closer to the first delivery date.
The buy will bring Aer Lingus's short-haul fleet to 39 planes. It says this will enable it to carry more passengers on more routes.
