Aer Lingus International Airlines Group (IAG) announced an order for 53 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft for its long-haul fleet, comprising 32 Boeing 787-10 aircraft for British Airways and 21 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, which can be deployed within Aer Lingus, Iberia or LEVEL.
IAG Luis Gallego CEO, said: “This order marks another milestone in our strategy and transformation programme and underlines our commitment to strengthening our airline brands and enhancing our customer proposition. Looking ahead to the next decade, these new aircraft will enable us to strengthen our core markets and further improve our customer experience, while continuing to drive long-term value for our shareholders.”
Subject to shareholder approval at the IAG’s Annual General Meeting in June, these new aircraft will enable IAG’s airlines to grow and replace their long-haul fleets with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. The aircraft will be delivered between 2028 and 2033.
In addition, the order with Boeing grants British Airways the rights to elect to purchase up to 10 additional Boeing 787 aircraft and the order with Airbus grants IAG the rights to elect to purchase up to 13 additional Airbus A330-900neo aircraft.
Of the proposed 53 aircraft, 35 would serve to replace existing aircraft or, in the case of LEVEL, replace A330s on short-term leases. As well as the replacements above, the new orders would also allow 18 aircraft for growth in IAG’s core markets.
The Airbus A330-900neo aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines. British Airways’ Boeing 787-10 aircraft will be powered by General Electric engines. Both engine orders include comprehensive warranty and maintenance packages with Rolls-Royce and General Electric, respectively.
The Airbus A330neo is the first large airliner to be certified by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) to ICAO’s new CO2 emissions standard. This certification means the A330neo meets ICAO’s environmental regulations and is compliant with CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), which is ICAO’s market-based scheme for reducing international aviation emissions.
On 9th April Airbus announced EASA certified the enhanced take-off performance package for A330neo, which provides improved performance and versatility for operators, while delivering enhanced economics with extra revenue payload. Airbus stated it continually updates and enhances the A330neo Family in all areas.
Image Credit: International Airlines Group (IAG)
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