Airbus has pulled in three final orders in the run-up to the Christmas break, announcing deals from Easyjet, Brazilian carrier TAM and an undisclosed customer.
UK low-cost carrier Easyjet firmed up options for 20 CFM International CFM56-powered Airbus A319s for delivery in 2008 and 2009.
The firming up of A319 options was expected but an announcement was not considered likely until early in 2006. Easyjet says in a statement to the London stock exchange that the terms of the agreement are “substantially the same as those for the purchase of the first 120 aircraft”. That deal, covering 120 firm orders and purchase rights for up to 120 more, was formalised early in 2003.
“The total list price for 20 new A319 aircraft would be approximately $0.9 billion,” it says. “However, under the Airbus contract Easyjet was granted substantial price concessions by Airbus and the selected engine manufacturer.”
Easyjet has so far taken delivery of 59 A319s from the initial firm order while the remaining 61 are to be delivered between now and 2008. The 20 additional aircraft from the new deal are to be delivered in 2008 and 2009 to ensure “continued growth to the end of the decade”.
CEO Andrew Harrison adds: “Our original agreement with Airbus for up to 240 A319s was a great deal for our shareholders and customers which underpins our low cost base and our continued ability to offer low fares to our 30 million customers. Today’s announcement for a further tranche of 20 aircraft marks another step in Easyjet’s continuing development as Europe’s best low-fares airline.”
Meanwhile Brazilian carrier TAM has secured a $50 million credit facility with World Bank private sector arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), to help fund its fleet expansion. TAM, which placed a follow-on order for 20 Airbus A320s for delivery between 2007 and 2010 this summer, has firm orders for 29 A320-family aircraft and options on another 20.
It has also secured an R$85 million ($36 million) credit facility obtained from Brazilian state-owned development bank BNDES to support other developments at the carrier.
The IFC loan comprises a $33 million pre-delivery purchase facility and a $17 million loan for aircraft parts management. The IFC portion will be used towards its fleet expansion plans.
TAM chief financial officer Libano Miranda Barroso says: “IFC authorised the financing to TAM after a strict and detailed economic and financial analysis of the company. The first disbursement of the $50 million will take place in the first quarter of 2006.”
And Airbus has also disclosed an order for five additional examples of the A318 Elite, the executive version of the manufacturer’s baseline A318 twin-jet, but is not revealing the customer’s identity.
All five aircraft will be powered by CFM International CFM56 engines and be outfitted by maintenance company Lufthansa Technik.
The order brings to 13 the number of A318 Elites on order. Five of the type have been ordered by Saudi Arabian operator National Air Services while Swiss charter company Comlux has committed to another three.
Airbus offers two configurations for the aircraft, seating 14 or 18 passengers. National Air Services and Comlux have also placed options for a total of another eight jets.
Source: Flight International
