Avianca Holdings S.A. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 100 A320neo Family aircraft. Avianca, which is Latin America’s oldest active airline, will base its fleet renewal strategy on the A320neo Family.
“After a thorough technical evaluation, we selected the A320neo Family for its excellent fuel efficiency, reliability and comfort,” said Fabio Villegas Ramirez, Avianca Chief Executive Officer. “These qualities are essential to further our growth and fleet modernization strategy and improve our passenger experience.”
“Airbus is privileged to work with Avianca on this important agreement,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are proud that Avianca will rely on the A320neo, its unbeatable productivity and fuel efficiency to renew its fleet. The A320neo Family is the ideal aircraft for Avianca’s longest, single-aisle routes and high-altitude airports within their network.”
Avianca has partnered with Airbus on its fleet modernization and expansion programs for years. In 2012, Avianca ordered 51 A320 Family aircraft, including 33 A320neo aircraft. The airline group has combined orders for nearly 200 Airbus aircraft, with nearly 130 currently in operation.
The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 11,500 orders to date and nearly 6,400 aircraft delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide. Thanks to its widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer the industry’s best level of comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. The newest member of the A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets (wing tip devices) which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020. Firm orders for the NEO reached over 3,600 aircraft from 70 customers.
To date, the A320neo programme has 245 firm orders from seven customers in Latin America — Avianca, Azul, Interjet, LAN, TAM, VivaAerobus and Volaris. With more than 850 aircraft sold and a backlog of nearly 400, more than 550 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60 percent of all aircraft operating in the region.
