Mexico-based low-cost carrier Volaris and Airbus have disclosed that the airline previously ordered 25 Airbus A321neos, with the deal now officially associated with the airline.
In total, the airline will have 143 A320neo family aircraft in its backlog following the official addition of the purchase agreement that Volaris and Airbus initially signed in October 2022. According to the European plane maker, the Mexican carrier’s fleet will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.
The order was confirmed during the Paris Air Show 2023. Previously at the event, Pratt & Whitney and Volaris agreed to an order of PW1100G engines to power 64 Airbus A321neo aircraft, taking the carrier’s overall commitment for the engines, also known as the Geared Turbofan (GTF), to power a total of 217 aircraft.
Currently the largest A320neo family aircraft operator in Latin America, Volaris operates 51 A320neo and 18 A321neo aircraft, according to Airbus Orders & Deliveries data as of May 31, 2023. Ch-aviation.com data shows that another A321neo, registered as XA-VUA, was delivered to the airline on June 8, 2023.
“These A321neos will support our long-term business viability and sustainability strategy, while moving us closer to operating an all-NEO fleet by 2028,” said Enrique Beltranena, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Volaris. Beltranena emphasized that having a backlog of 143 A320neo family aircraft demonstrates the airline’s strong financial position and ambitions to grow on domestic routes within Mexico, as well as expanding flights to the United States and Central America.
“The A321neo’s superior performance and efficiency will continue to drive Volaris’s network growth. As the fleet grows the airline will be well positioned to meet future demand, especially in the Mexican leisure market,“ added Christian Sherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International at Airbus.