Airbus lands major deals to round off successful Farnborough Airshow

Aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, rounded off last week’s Farnborough International Airshow with orders for almost 100 new aircraft, following several key orders earlier in the week.

Airbus has major plants in Broughton, near Chester, where it employs 5,000 staff making wings for its commercial aircraft, and Filton, in Bristol, where the workforce numbers 3,000 staff..

Saudi Arabia low-cost carrier, flynas, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus, for 75 A320neo family aircraft and 15 A330-900 planes. This strategic agreement will expand the airline’s capacity, range and enhance its overall fleet capabilities.

The deal was signed in the presence of President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia, HE Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, Chairman of the Board of NAS Holding Ayed Al Jeaid, flynas Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Bandar Almohanna, and Airbus Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Aircraft, Christian Scherer.

The new aircraft will join the carrier’s all-Airbus fleet serving international, domestic and regional routes. The new A330-900 aircraft will boast a two-class configuration, accommodating up to 400 passengers.

Bander Almohanna, CEO and Managing Director of flynas, said: “We are excited to further strengthen our long standing partnership with Airbus. The A320neo family provides exceptional operational performance and environmental benefits, allowing us to offer unique, low cost travel experiences. Additionally, the A330neowill enhance our long haul capabilities with its advanced technology and efficiency while supporting our growth plans and Saudi Arabia’s pilgrim programme.”

Christian Scherer said: “The A330neo will allow flynas to further grow into widebody markets by building on the A320, benefiting from Airbus’s unique commonality. Both aircraft types offer flynas the perfect versatility and economics to expand into new markets while offering their passengers the latest cabin experience and comfort. We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with flynas as they embark on this exciting new chapter.”

The addition of the A330-900 aircraft will support flynas’s ambitious growth plans. The airline anticipates significant operational efficiency gains by combining the new widebody aircraft with its existing A320neo fleet. The A330-900 offers increased capacity and range at unrivalled seat costs, ensuring flynas can compete effectively in the growing regional market, a key focus area for the airline.

Meanwhile, Latin America’s Abra Group has signed an MOU for five A350-900s to further expand its international long-haul operations and increase capacity. This is in line with the group’s strategic plans to offer millions of passengers greater connectivity to new destinations on long range routes.

Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group said: “We believe the arrival of these five A350s, which offer a best-in-class passenger experience, are more fuel efficient and have a lower cost per seat than competitor aircraft, will allow us to strengthen our commitment to make travel more accessible and responsible.

“This also means better prices for customers with better connectivity between our continent and Europe, and will further consolidate Abra as one of the largest and most competitive air transportation groups in Latin America. The aircraft selection is consistent with the strategic announcements we have done this year and further executes on our long term vision.”

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said: “The selection of the A350 reaffirms the aircraft as the undisputed leader in long-haul air travel.”

Airbus has sold more than 1,300 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean and has a leading market share of in-service passenger aircraft. Around 800 are in operation throughout the region, with close to 500 in the order backlog. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75% of net orders in the region.