Airbus seeks to put lid on A-I purchase controversy

Putting a lid on the controversy following its demand for a CVC probe into Air India’s decision to buy aircraft from its competitor Boeing, Airbus Industrie on Tuesday said it was not going to revisit the past as its planes have emerged as a ‘‘preferred choice’’ for airlines in India.

‘‘What has happened has happened. Time has gone by. We are now focussed on the future. Airbus aircraft have emerged as a preferred choice for the airlines in India,’’ kiran Rao, senior VP (sales) of the European aircraft manufacturer, said when specifically asked whether they still stood by their demand for an inquiry into the Air India board’s decision to select an all-Boeing fleet.

He said his company had bagged orders for supply of 320 aircraft worth $33.5 billion compared with 146 planes of US manufacturer Boeing worth $15.3 billion.