International Airlines Group (IAG) has confirmed an order for an additional 37 Airbus A320neo aircraft after receiving shareholder approval, adding to orders made earlier in the year. This takes the airline group to 59 A320neo-family aircraft ordered this year.
IAG confirms A320neo order
Airline group IAG has bulked up its order book with Airbus after confirming plans to purchase an additional 37 Airbus A320neos. As Simple Flying reported over the summer, IAG ordered 37 more A320neos in July, representing its third order placed with the European aerospace manufacturer this year.
Having received approval after holding a shareholder meeting over its Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo orders, IAG has now ordered 59 single-aisle aircraft from Airbus this year, following earlier commitments for 17 A320neos and five A321neos placed in March and June. The agreement also includes options for a further 50 Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Photo: Getty Images
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International said,
“IAG operates Airbus aircraft extensively in its fleet making it one of the largest Airbus customers globally. These latest generation aircraft will be key in IAG’s stated environmental mission to operate the world’s most fuel efficient planes.”
As was the case this summer, IAG has yet to confirm which engine it is opting for – the choice is between the CFM International LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan. Interestingly, IAG Group airline Iberia was recently authorized to maintain Pratt & Whitney engines, perhaps suggesting the group may opt for the PW1100G.
IAG’s commitment to the Airbus A320 became apparent in 2013 after placing a massive order for 220 aircraft, many of which it has since converted to A320neo-family jets.
Deliveries to begin in 2025
IAG, the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Vueling among others, is accelerating its short-haul fleet renewal drive with a significant order for the Boeing 737 MAX also on tap. At this stage, it isn’t clear which of its carriers stand to receive the new A320neos, while “the exact mix of A320neos and A321neos will be decided closer to the delivery dates.”
Photo: Airbus
The airline group said back in July that the 37 A320neos will start arriving between 2025 and 2028 to phase out its portfolio of Airbus A320ceos. Deliveries for IAG’s earlier order of 22 A320neos are slated to begin a little earlier in 2024.
Aer Lingus recently received its first Airbus A320neo as part of an agreement for two aircraft placed in June; however, these two jets are not part of IAG’s order with Airbus, instead coming from a leasing agreement with CDB Aviation.
Significant moves from IAG
Shareholders also approved IAG’s order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 10 and MAX 200 aircraft, along with options for a further 100. The order was placed back in May 2022 and will see IAG operate a mix of A320neos and 737 MAXs across its short-haul network.
The group’s fleet currently stands at over 530 aircraft. Along with its incoming A320neos, IAG holds outstanding orders for the Airbus A350s, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and Boeing 777X.
What are your thoughts on IAG confirming its order for 37 more Airbus A320neos? Do you prefer the A320neo or the 737 MAX? Let us know in the comments.
Source: simpleflying.com
