Irish carrier Aer Lingus is doubling its long haul fleet with the order of 12 new aircraft, announced today, including six Airbus A350 XWB and six A330-300E aircraft for its fleet renewal, enabling it to double its long-haul fleet by 2014.
As part of its fleet renewal programme, Aer Lingus will take delivery of the new aircraft beginning in 2009 with the A330s.
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The Irish carrier is to double its long haul fleet by 2014 |
The six additional A350s to be optioned are for delivery by 2018.
Aer Lingus, which already operates seven Airbus A330-200/300s, began its long-haul fleet expansion last month when it took delivery of a new General Electric CF6-powered A330-200E. A new A330-300E follows this month to take its long-haul fleet to nine.
“The transaction will bring the long haul fleet to fourteen aircraft in 2014 through the delivery of five additional aircraft and the replacement of three older aircraft,” the airline says. “A further four aircraft will be replaced in 2015 and 2016.”
Aer Lingus CEO Dermot Mannion says: “These aircraft are key to our growth ambitions which include new routes to the US following the Open Skies agreement. The aircraft will complement our existing Airbus fleet and enhance our long haul network whilst offering a superior product to customers.”
Aer Lingus says the planned order is subject to shareholder approval, which will be sought at a specially convened extraordinary general meeting.
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Source: FlightGlobal.com
