Summary
- easyJet has placed a considerable order for 157 firm and 100 optioned Airbus jets, which is able to significantly expand its fleet and support its growth plans beyond 2028.
- The airline’s preference for the larger A321neo model reflects easyJet’s concentrate on lower fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and operating costs per seat.
- The order represents a long-term investment as deliveries are scheduled for 2029 to 2034, demonstrating easyJet’s strong commitment to Airbus.
British low-cost carrier easyJet has made waves this morning by announcing an order for as many as 257 brand-new Airbus A320neo family jets. The orange-clad airline has put its name down for 157 firm orders, which just about doubles its existing order book of 158 aircraft, in addition to options for an additional 100 latest narrowbodies.
Going large
A trading update published by the airline this morning shows that easyJet has gone large with its selection of aircraft within the order. Indeed, the Luton-headquartered carrier has ordered almost twice as many stretched-fuselage A321neos because it has for the usual A320neo model. The figures for these aircraft, when it comes to latest firm orders, are 101 and 56 respectively. easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren stated that:
“This may enable easyJet’s fleet modernization and growth to proceed beyond 2028, while providing substantial advantages including cost efficiencies and sustainability improvements.”
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The order represents a long-term investment, as, given easyJet’s existing order book with Airbus, deliveries for these newly-ordered next-generation twinjets aren’t set to start any time soon. Indeed, because the airline noted in its trading update, it plans for these aircraft to come back onboard between its 2029 and 2034 full-years.
The age of the A321neo
This order shows that easyJet sees the larger Airbus A321neo model as being a very crucial a part of its future fleet plans, but this can also be clear elsewhere. Indeed, despite data from ch-aviation showing that easyJet currently only has 15 A321neos spread between easyJet UK and easyJet Switzerland, the carrier added:
“easyJet has also agreed to exercise conversion rights inside its current order book to convert 35 A320neo deliveries into A321neo aircraft. This, alongside the Proposed Purchase, will deliver lower fuel burn, CO2 emissions, and operating costs per seat.”
Photo: Airbus
The prevalence of the larger A321neo in its latest order is a key reason behind the proven fact that the deliveries aren’t set to start until the top of the present decade. It’s because, as easyJet notes, delivery slots for 200-seat narrowbodies are “.” As such, securing them now as a long-term investment could prove to be a shrewd move afterward.
A commitment value almost $20 billion
All in all, easyJet’s current order book with Airbus now stands at 315 aircraft, subject to shareholder approval for the most recent order. With the choice so as to add one other 100 to this figure, the carrier is strongly committed to Airbus, which can also be evident in a financial sense. The airline notes that, in keeping with 2018’s list prices, the most recent order and conversion represent a complete commitment of $19.9 billion.
If we solid our eyes back 14 years, this marks a far cry from the outlook of easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Indeed, in May 2009, the Evening Standard reported that he had criticized the carrier for ordering too many latest Airbus jets, with passenger numbers reportedly not growing at the identical rate as its fleet. Nonetheless, with aviation having fun with a post-COVID boom, the image is fairly different now.
What do you make of this order? How do you see the remainder of the last decade panning out for easyJet and its fleet? Tell us your thoughts within the comments!