China Southern Airlines orders 80 A320 planes from Airbus

China Southern Airlines, the country's largest airline by fleet size, has signed contracts with aircraft manufacturer Airbus for the purchase of 80 A320 planes, Airbus China said here on Saturday.

The order includes 30 of the existing models of the A320 planes, with price between 85.8 million U.S. dollars and 110.1 million U.S. dollars each, and 50 of the more energy-efficient A320Neo model, with price between 94.4 million U.S. dollars and 120 million U.S. dollars, Airbus China said.

The planes will be delivered to China Southern Airlines from 2016 to 2020.

According to China Southern Airlines, the deal is expected to increase the airlines' transportation capacity by 12.1 percent and help optimize its fleet structures, thus maximizing its operation efficiency and enhancing competitiveness.