AER LINGUS IS to get seven brand new airplanes after its parent company agreed a new leasing deal for new a batch of Airbus A321-Neos.
International Airlines Group (IAG) is acquiring seven of the new craft for the airline.
The leased aircraft will be delivered in 2019 and 2020 and will be used mainly to replace existing Aer Lingus long haul aircraft.
Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive, said:
“The introduction of these aircraft on our transatlantic network will enable Aer Lingus to operate more frequent flights on routes between Dublin and the US East Coast. This will provide additional flexibility for connecting passengers and will strengthen Dublin as the Aer Lingus transatlantic hub.”
The A321neo LR will be, according to Airbus, the “most cost efficient long-range narrowbody aircraft” and will be fitted with a total of 186 seats in business and economy cabins.
The planes usually cost around $115 million each, but are being “dry leased” by IAG. This means they are being leased without a crew attached to them.
The A321 currently has 1,400 aircraft in operation across 104 airlines. Aer Lingus does not have any as yet, but has three Airbus A321-200s. The airline is due to take delivery of two Airbus A330-300s this year.
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