AIRBUS INDUSTRIE HAS received commitments from German charter operator Condor for up to 24 Airbus single-aisle aircraft, which are expected to be converted to a firm contract before the end of the year. Airbus says that the deal include orders for six A320s and six A321s, plus six additional options on each type.
The Lufthansa subsidiary has confirmed that it is holding "serious discussions" with Airbus on an order for "aircraft in the A320 family", with the acquisition to be undertaken in addition to the recent order for up to 24 stretch ed Boeing 757-300s (Flight International, 11-17 September).
Condor says that a final decision will not be taken until the end of the year: "We have signed an MoU [memorandum of understanding] to secure some delivery positions," it says, "but the [Airbus] decision depends on other decisions that must be taken on larger projects over the next couple of months- we expect to announce the decision around mid-November". The airline declines to confirm delivery dates, or the number and models of aircraft involved.
The 24 Condor aircraft are part of some 56 orders and commitments which Airbus holds, but did not announce formally during the Farnborough air show.
During the show, the consortium announced 32 firm orders from Asiana, Cathay Pacific and FedEx, worth $2.5 billion, but says that it has a further 28 firm orders and 28 commitments worth an additional $6 billion.
The firm orders, which include one for ten A320s from an undisclosed customer and already included in the firm backlog, are expected to be finalised and announced in the coming weeks.
Source: Flight International
