US Airways and Airbus have agreed to terms for the airline to buy 92 Airbus aircraft for the airline’s future fleet renewal needs. Included are orders for 22 of the all-new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. The 92 total firm orders are comprised of 22 A350-800s, 10 A330-200s and 60 A320-family aircraft – a mix of A319s, A320s and A321s.
The transaction, which was announced on 18th June at the Paris Air Show, also provides US Airways with a number of purchase rights for additional aircraft of the same types.
The term sheet provisions for A350 XWB aircraft supersede and expand on an earlier US Airways order signed in 2005 for 20 of the original version of the A350 aircraft. Airbus last December re-launched the aircraft as the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body), which immediately set the new standard in its class for passenger comfort, fuel efficiency and range.
”This sets the stage for the next generation of the US Airways fleet, which will be one of the youngest and most efficient in the U.S. airline industry,” said Doug Parker, the airline’s Chairman and CEO. “We’re pleased to partner once again with Airbus, and we’re very excited about the A350 program. We have every confidence that Airbus will manufacture an innovative and revolutionary aircraft.”
“US Airways’ decision to make Airbus single-aisle and long-range aircraft the platform for their fleet modernization and future growth is an important endorsement of our products and customer support,” said Airbus President and C.E.O. Louis Gallois. „There are not many airlines that have as much experience with Airbus as US Airways, which operates the largest A320-family fleet in the world. They and their passengers know us well. We are very gratified that this long-standing partner airline is demonstrating their confidence in the Airbus aircraft of today and tomorrow, as well as in the team of Airbus support staff around the world that will continue to stand behind US Airways’ Airbus aircraft for years to come.”
The A350 XWB is Airbus‘ newest aircraft model and will be the world’s most technologically advanced when it enters service in 2013. Designed to increase productivity and offer unparalleled levels of passenger comfort in its class, the A350 XWB will reduce operating costs for airlines. Addressing environmental concerns and cost-effectiveness, the A350 XWB will be one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft ever.
The term sheet is contingent upon execution of definitive purchase agreements, expected in the coming weeks.
US Airways already operates a fleet of 205 Airbus aircraft, with 93 A319s, 75 A320s, 28 A321s and nine A330-300s. The airline serves more than 230 destinations in 32 countries and territories with more than 3,700 daily departures and employs more than 36,000 aviation professionals.
