The leasing unit of the Bank of China, one of the nation`s top lenders, has ordered 20 A320 aircraft from Airbus Industries, an executive with the European aircraft manufacturer said Tuesday.

Singapore-based Bank of China Aviation ordered the planes on the sidelines of Airshow China in the nation`s southern city of Zhuhai, Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy told reporters.

`Bank of China Aviation has used the occasion of the Zhuhai air show to place an order with us for 20 A320 aircraft,` he said. No further details were immediately available.