MIDWAY AIRLINES is to operate a fleet of Airbus Industrie A320s from its new hub operation at Raleigh-Durham Airport, North Carolina, recently acquired from American Airlines.
The Chicago-based carrier is initially leasing four International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-A1-powered A320s from Orix. The first two A320s will arrive in May, to join some of Midway's eight Fokker 100s which it began operating on services from the hub on 2 March to seven East Coast and Mid-West destinations.
The next pair of A320s will arrive in June, allowing Midway almost to double the number of daily hub departures, from 22 to 42. A further six East Coast destinations will be served by Midway from June.
In addition, Midway will purchase four V2500-A5-powered A320s, with an option to purchase a further four A320s or A319s. Deliveries of the purchased aircraft will begin in December 1998.
The total incremental value of the Midway order is said to be worth $100 million to the engine maker, which has now received orders for 1,520 engines worth around $9 billion.
Source: Flight International
