Northwest to Buy 26 More Airbus Jets

Northwest Airlines said Thursday that it has agreed to buy 26 more Airbus Industrie jetliners for $2.7 billion, giving the carrier confirmed orders for 61 of the low-noise, high-technology jets and options for 79 more.

The order, which confirms options Northwest has held since April, 1987, calls for 20 A340s, which cost $93 million each and seat up to 280 passengers, and six A330s, which cost $89 million each and seat up to 330 passengers, according to Northwest spokesman Bob Gibbons.

“The A330s and A340s offer Northwest fleet commonality and the benefits of advanced technology, lower operating costs and superior cargo-carrying capability,” Steve Rothmeier, chairman of Northwest’s parent NWA Inc., said in a statement.

Northwest is the first North American airline to purchase A340s, while it and Trans World Airlines are the first North American carriers to buy A330s, said Airbus spokesman Gregg Schulte.