Aer Lingus says signs new fleet deal with Airbus
Wednesday September 17, 7:00 am ET
DUBLIN, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Irish state airline Aer Lingus said on Wednesday it had signed a deal with Airbus (Paris:EADS.PA – News) to supply 17 new aircraft for use on its European network, with options on a further 10.
The national flag carrier said the deal for the A-320s would complete its move to use of a single fleet type and enable it to add 15 new routes to its European network by summer 2005.
Under the deal Aer Lingus, which had also been in talks with Boeing (NYSE:BA – News), will buy seven A-320s outright and lease 10 from the International Lease Finance Corp.
The Irish Times said the airline was expected to spend in excess of 300 million euros ($335.6 million) on the aircraft. The engines for the aircraft will be provided by CFM, a Franco-American joint venture between General Electric Aircraft Engines (NYSE:GE – News) and Snecma Moteurs.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/030917/airlines_aerlingus_3.html
*********************************
At the Dutch spotters mailing list someone has reported that Air Holland is to get 3 ex SAS B767s. When they have been delivered Air Holland will dispose of the B767 (PH-APR) they are using now. The first B767 should be delivered October 15th.
By: MSR777 - 18th September 2003 at 18:39
This news had made my month! I am glad that the good relationship between Aer Lingus and Airbus Industrie is to continue. I feel that they have made the right choice. With the airline industry becoming ever more competitive its vital to have the latest technology in your aircraft, and of course crew commonality is very important too as well as economic. Well done EI!
By: EGNM - 18th September 2003 at 11:07
Originally posted by wires2
I have just found out that a couple of BA’s new A320s are actually ex Aer Lingus machines that are actually still quite new. Seems very odd to dispose of some aircraft and then get the same type again.
The a/c were actually built under an Aer Lingus order but they didnt take delivery of them due to their financial situation at the time, so BA picked them upo on the cheap i guess!
Good to see more Airbus orders!
By: Saab 2000 - 17th September 2003 at 20:17
This is what I have been wondering, I have heard nothing of the Airbus aircraft disappearing so I presume the older A320/1 are staying in the fleet? If they did go then there would be a rather big gap in the capacity on higher demanding routes.
By: tenthije - 17th September 2003 at 20:07
Are there going to be additional destinations then? Aer Lingus will retire 17 planes and add 17 planes, so that does not leave much capacity for new destinations? Or am I forgetting something?
By: Saab 2000 - 17th September 2003 at 20:00
All the 737 and BAe 146 aircraft are leaving the fleet. I guess it does sort out what will happen to the long haul fleet though no formal announcement. There is actually only a firm order for 7 aircraft. The rest are leased as the article said.
Anyone care to debate the new destinations? Athens possibly?
By: Nationwide Air - 17th September 2003 at 19:35
Hi,
I think so Ren.
Nationwide Air
By: Ren Frew - 17th September 2003 at 19:28
So will they keep the 737’s they already have ? And this presumably puts paid to the other rumour concerning the replacement of the A330’s with 767’s.
By: wires2 - 17th September 2003 at 19:03
I have just found out that a couple of BA’s new A320s are actually ex Aer Lingus machines that are actually still quite new. Seems very odd to dispose of some aircraft and then get the same type again.
By: Saab 2000 - 17th September 2003 at 18:20
At last the big Aer Lingus order! I have been waiting for this. The A320 is not much of a surprise, it is has proven popular, however, I had hoped that some possible economic factors would have swung the order Boeing’s way. But anyway, good news. Shows that now with fleet commonality Aer Lingus will seemingly be a low cost operation on short haul.
By: Mark L - 17th September 2003 at 18:15
I think it makes sense for EI really, Airbus gives them commonality with their younger fleet, and possibly might help maintenace wise through OneWorld with BA? Not sure about the last bit though!
By: Nationwide Air - 17th September 2003 at 16:55
Hi,
Does anyone know if Nationwide Airlines will lease one of the Air Holland 767’s for its international service to LGW?
Nationwide Air 🙂
By: Nationwide Air - 17th September 2003 at 16:44
Hi,
Thats a great shame :(.
Nationwide Air
By: Thomas Cook - 17th September 2003 at 16:36
Hi,
I wish EI had ordered 17, 737-800s, oh well. :rolleyes:
Thanks
Thomas Cook
Sign In
September 17, 2003 at 4:26 pm