(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-26 15:52

China will buy 110 single-aisle Airbus A320 aircraft as well as 50 twin-aisle A330s under a framework agreement signed on Monday, said Louis Gallois, chief executive of the Airbus's parent, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company.

Related readings: Green Airbus 380 arrives in Beijing Airbus A380 ready for commercial flight Airbus spares no effort in its China plan Orders for 86 A320 aircraft confirmed

At Airbus's list prices, Monday's order is worth US$17 billion, the single-biggest deal for the plane maker.

Gallois told reporters the orders should be confirmed before the end of the year.

Speaking soon after French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing, Gallois said China had not yet exercised an option it signed last year for 20 A350 aircraft.