European plane maker Airbus delivered its 3,000th A320 passenger jet to low-cost airline AirAsia yesterday at a ceremony attended by the Malaysian and French transport ministers.

The A320 range of Airbus planes includes four types of shorthaul, small capacity aircraft that accounted for more than 75 percent of Airbus orders in 2006.

Airbus has taken 5,000 orders for the aircraft, which first went into service 18 years ago in 1988, Airbus chief executive Louis Gallois said.

AirAsia which has ordered another 50 A320 planes and taken options on 50 more, described the jets today as "highly efficient" aircraft.

'They love the aircraft'

Kamarudin Meranum, deputy chief executive, said the A320 was a "highly efficient aircraft," especially in terms of fuel use.

"Our passengers just love the aircraft," he added.

According to AFP , funding for the AirAsia jets were being finalised and the five-year-old carrier will adopt a similar financing package as it had taken for its earlier 100 A320s.

Financial details were not revealed. The catalogue price for the initial 50 planes ordered comes to US$3.3 billion but deals of this size often feature substantial discounts.