Half a day after the opening of the Paris Air Show, Airbus already accumulates three orders for its aircraft, including the launch customer for its newly-launched A321XLR, the long-range version of its best-selling A321neo.
Air Lease Corporation reiterates its commitment to Airbus
Air Lease Corporation signed a letter of intent to purchase 100 Airbus aircraft during the Paris Air Show, on June 17, 2019.
This order includes 50 A220-300s and 27 of the newly-launched A321XLRs as well as an incremental order for an additional 23 A321neos.
The aircraft should be delivered between 2021 and 2026. This contract brings cumulative orders of Air Lease Corporation to 387 planes, making it Airbus’ third largest lessor customer. At list price, the order amounts to more than $10 billion.
Virgin Atlantic selects Airbus to renew its wide-body fleet
Virgin Atlantic has selected 14 A330-900s to replace its A330ceos from 2021, with options to further expand its fleet of wide-body aircraft. The firm order for eight aircraft and six additional on lease from Air Lease Corporation was signed at the Paris Air Show.
Virgin Atlantic currently operates a fleet of 40 wide-body aircraft and will soon take delivery of its first of 12 A350-1000s.
We’re so pleased to announce we’ve ordered 14 @Airbus A330neos, so we’re on our way to our cleanest and youngest fleet ever. ✈️❤️ pic.twitter.com/nAaqGMjBqm
— Virgin Atlantic (@VirginAtlantic) June 17, 2019
Airbus could expect more than 200 orders for its A321XLR this week, including from Norwegian and JetBlue Airways.
The A321XLR found its launch customer: Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines (MEA), the flag carrier of Lebanon, has signed a firm order for four A321XLRs, thus becoming the launch airline customer of Airbus latest evolution of the A321neo family.
The agreement takes Middle East Airlines’ cumulative single-aisle orders with Airbus to 15 A321neo family aircraft, including 11 A321neos and 4 A321XLRs with deliveries starting in 2020. MEA will use the A321XLR to strengthen its network in Africa and Asia.