Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling will start taking delivery of new Airbus A320s from 2015, if a huge fleet-renewal deal from parent IAG is approved.
IAG, which is placing orders and options for up to 220 A320-family jets, says the Vueling deliveries will continue to 2020.
Vueling will take 30 regular A320s plus 32 re-engined A320neo aircraft under the firm part of the deal, which is yet to receive clearance from IAG shareholders.
The provisional agreement also includes 58 options for Vueling. The airline already has 70 A320-family jets in its fleet.
IAG is to place options on 100 additional A320neo twinjets to be distributed among its primary carriers, British Airways and Iberia, as well as Vueling.
The company says it has negotiated a "very substantial discount" for the overall deal.
"Vueling has managed to successfully expand its business profitably by targeting both growth markets and those areas where weak competitors are reducing capacity," says IAG chief Willie Walsh.
"These new aircraft will enable Vueling to continue that expansion and replace some of its older fleet with modern, fuel efficient aircraft, leading to further unit cost reductions."
IAG shareholders will examine the agreement, along with previous planned orders for Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, later this year.
No engine selection has been disclosed for either the A320s or A320neos. Vueling's A320s are fitted with both CFM International CFM56 and International Aero Engines V2500s.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
