After a radical selection process, International Airline Group (IAG), and British Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft plus 18 options, as component to the airline’s on-going long-haul aircraft fleet renewal and modernisation strategy.
IAG, owner of both British Airways and Iberia, has also secured commercial terms and delivery slots which may result in firm orders for Iberia. Firm orders will only be made when Iberia is able to grow profitably, having restructured and reduced its cost base.
The number of the A350-1000 follows British Airways’ decision in 2007 to purchase 12 Airbus A380s, the primary of so that it will be delivered this summer. Operating the A380 and A350 together delivers real value to the world’s leading airlines since it lets them match aircraft capacity to traffic demand on any route.
“The A350-1000 will bring many benefits to our fleet. Its size and range might be a great fit for our existing network and, with lower unit costs, there’s a chance to function a brand new range of destinations profitably. This may increasingly not just bring greater flexibility to our network but additionally more choice for our customer,” said Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive.
Across all its aircraft families Airbus’ new angle ensures that aircraft share the very best commonality in airframes, on-board systems, cockpits and handling characteristics. This reduces significantly operating costs for airlines. Further, with only minimal additional training, pilots can transition between these aircraft more efficiently.
“This is a crucial announcement from among the many world’s most valuable and influential airline brands,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A380 and the A350 are perfectly matched for greener long haul operations and demonstrate environmental leadership. We’re simply delighted that British Airways has chosen the A350 to spread its global wings and its iconic livery.”
The A350-1000 is the most important member of the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family seating as much as 350 passengers in three classes, with a variety capability of 8,400 nautical miles (15,500 km). The A350 XWB Family includes the A350-900 and A350-800 seating 314 and 270 passengers respectively, offering airlines the power to check the aircraft to their network needs and thereby guaranteeing optimum revenue potential. In comparison with its nearest established competitor, the A350 XWB Family reduces fuel burn by 25 per cent.
British Airways currently operates a complete of 112 A320 Family aircraft. It really is some of the world’s only airlines to function all members of the A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321). British Airways first became an Airbus operator in 1988, when it all started flying A320s. The airline added the A319s to its fleet in 1999 and the A321 in 2004.
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