British Airways has ditched traditional plane supplier Boeing and turned to Europe for its biggest single aircraft order ever.

With British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair present, BA announced it was acquiring up to 188 of the Airbus A320 family of aircraft in a multi-billion pound deal.

Mr Blair said he very much welcomed the deal, which will help safeguard 38,000 UK aerospace jobs and 1,000 BA regional service posts.

Until yesterday, BA had always opted for Seattle-based Boeing for its jets while ignoring the blandishments of Airbus Industrie which has its headquarters in Toulouse in France.

BA said Airbus had won the contract "fair and square" and dismissed suggestions the airline was currying favour with Europe so as to smooth the path for the proposed link up between BA and giant US carrier, American Airlines.