UK low-cost carrier EasyJet has exercised its options for 15 Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered from 2012 to 2014.
It has also secured options over an additional 33 A320 aircraft, and converted 20 A319 deliveries to A320s, says the carrier. EasyJet now holds options for 42 aircraft in total.
"Today's announcement will ensure that EasyJet is able to continue to execute its strategy of carefully targeted growth and take advantage of opportunities for profitable market gain," says the airline.
It will acquire the aircraft through a combination of cash, operating leases and debt, it adds.
EasyJet says the list price for the 15 A320s is about $1.1 billion but adds that it has received "substantial confidential price concessions".
It will be able to exercise the additional 33 options up to March 2013, it adds.
As of end-2010, the carrier operates 193 aircraft, the majority of which are A320 family aircraft. It aims to operate an A320-only fleet by end-September 2012, and plans to grow its fleet to 220 aircraft by end-September 2013.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
