Northwest Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a further 50 Airbus Industrie narrowbody aircraft, bringing the total number of firm orders for the consortium's main US customer to 136.
The MoU outlines a requirement for 50 125-seat A319s, with options for 50 more aircraft. If confirmed, the $2 billion order would be in addition to the 70 A320s which are already entering the Northwest fleet, along with 16 A330 widebodies.
Northwest has now specified the same number of Airbus narrowbodies as it originally had on order, before the cancellation during the airline recession during the early 1990s of 50 A320 orders.
Delivery of the A319s is scheduled for 1999 through to 2003. "The A319 can serve as the foundation for our future needs for replacement and growth in the 125-seat category," says Northwest executive vice-president Michael Levine, citing the aircraft's "superior economics and performance capabilities".
The choice of engine has yet to be made, although the current A320 fleet is powered by the CFM International CFM56. The deal brings the total number of Airbuses sold at the show to 71, worth a total of $3.5 billion.
Source: Flight International
