Lufthansa and Airbus are in negotiations for a $2.5bn jet order of 30 single-aisle A320s with new engines, which may be concluded within the next month.

If the order is finalised, it will be the third commitment since the Airbus offer of A320neo announced last year.

The mounting of new engines on the existing single-aisle models would offer 15% better fuel efficiency and would place pressure on Boeing’s 737 model, which competes with A320, Airbus said.

Lufthansa’s Stefanie Stotz said the carrier was always reviewing options for its fleet, according to Bloomberg.