EasyJet confirms ‘significant’ order for 157 Airbus aircraft

Budget carrier EasyJet has confirmed a firm order for 157 additional A320neo Family aircraft, as well as 100 purchase rights.

The confirmation follows shareholder approval after voting held earlier today (December 19) during a general meeting at Luton airport.

It means 56 A320neo and 101 A321neo aircraft will be delivered between 2029 and 2034, while 35 A320neo already on order will be converted into larger A321neo aircraft.

The new aircraft will allow easyJet to increase its capacity and replace older A319 aircraft and replace approximately half of the A320ceo aircraft.

EasyJet already has 69 A320neo Family aircraft in its fleet and an existing order book with Airbus to 2029 for a further 158 A320neo Family aircraft still to be delivered.

The new deliveries will continue the modernisation of the easyJet fleet and deliver between a 13% to 30% unit fuel burn efficiency improvement, depending on which aircraft they replace.

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, commented: “We are very pleased to be able to confirm this significant order which not only enables easyJet to replace its older aircraft with more efficient aircraft, a core component of our net zero roadmap, but also provides us the ability for disciplined growth, including the significant opportunity that up-gauging brings.

“With this order, easyJet will be able to continue to cement its leading position at Europe’s primary airports and so we look forward to working in partnership with Airbus in the years to come.”

Christian Scherer, chief commercial officer and head of international at Airbus, added: “Its Airbus fleet allows easyJet to differentiate its offering in its competitive market with the most state-of-the-art, modern and comfortable aircraft.

“EasyJet and Airbus both are strong advocates for the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and so this significant investment into the most fuel efficient and SAF-capable aircraft is a testimony to our joint commitment in this respect.”

Nusrat Ghani, minister for industry and economic security, said: “This deal for easyJet is another shot in the arm for UK manufacturing, following a string of recent airline announcements and over £6 billion of recent private investment wins, including from Tata and Nissan.”