easyJet to buy 135 single-aisle Airbus A320s
LE BOURGET, France (AP) — Budget carrier easyJet agreed Tuesday to purchase 135 single-aisle Airbus jets that will allow the European airline to pack in more passengers than it currently does.
The companies said at the Paris Air Show that the British-based airline scooped up 35 current generation A320s and 100 of its A320neo. At list prices, the order would cost $11.9 billion, but easyJet said it received deep discounts, as is typical. It has an option to buy another 100 of the new generation A320s.
Airbus also announced the purchase of three A320neo by Tunisian airline Syphax, saying it was the first time an African-based carrier had bought the jet.
The A320 seats about 180 people, compared to the 156-seat A319 that easyJet largely uses now. The company said the new planes are also more fuel efficient.
Smaller jet purchases dominated the last air show at Le Bourget two years ago; this year long-haul jets have staged a comeback.
