Vueling Airlines is in the middle of its new aircraft programme, according to chief finance officer Sonia Jerez.
The Barcelona-based carrier will end this year summer schedule with a total fleet of 60 aircraft, but Jerez says the carrier may need to renew its entire fleet beginning in 2015.
"We have leases expiring in the next five years, and we are still assessing aircraft in the market," she says.
"It is an important project for Vueling. Slots are not available before 2013 and we need to think whether we want to purchase aircraft," she adds. Jerez says Vueling is more concerned about the cost, rather than the brand, in its decision process, and will opt for the best net present value offer.
The Barcelona-based carrier has added 14 Airbus A319/A320s since the demise of Spanair earlier this year and currently operate 55 A320s and three A319s under operating leases. The new additions have been leased for periods of three years mainly.
Source: Commercial Aviation Online
