Orders boost from Azerbaijan Airlines for aircraft manufacturer Airbus
Azerbaijan Airlines has placed a firm order with aircraft manufacturer Airbus for 12 A320neo Family aircraft including A320neo and A321neo. The contract was signed at a ceremony held in Baku.
Airbus’s Broughton factory, near Chester, makes wings for all the group’s commercial aircraft and employs around 4,500 staff.
These latest generation A320neo Family aircraft are part of the company’s fleet renewal strategy to operate the most modern and fuel efficient aircraft, and increase operational efficiency and competitiveness. The engine choice will be announced by the airline at a later stage.
First vice president of AZAL CJSC, Samir Rzayev, said: “We are pleased to continue mutually beneficial cooperation with Airbus on the modernisation programme of our fleet and intend to strengthen the bilateral partnership.
“The signed contract will provide our passengers with the most modern and comfortable single-aisle aircraft.”
“This order marks an important milestone in the fruitful relationship between Airbus and Azerbaijan Airlines,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus chief commercial officer and head of international.
He added: “The A320neo Family continues to be a top choice for airlines looking for fuel-efficient and cost-effective fleet solutions. This order is a testament to the trust our customers have in the performance and reliability of our aircraft.
“We are confident that this choice will further boost the sustainable growth of Azerbaijan Airlines.”
Currently Azerbaijan Airlines operates a fleet of 15 Airbus aircraft – four A319ceo, six A320ceo, two A340s and, since the beginning of the year, three new generation A320neo.
The airline plans to deploy efficient A320neo Family aircraft to further develop its domestic and international route network.
The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and sharklets, which together deliver at least 20% fuel burn and CO2 emission saving.
Airbus said that, with some 8,700 orders from 135 customers, the A320neo Family is the world’s most popular aircraft.
