Airbus scored an estimated $33-billion order from Indigo Partners for 255 more A321neo aircraft, to be assigned to four carriers in the Indigo portfolio. The firm order – the headline for the first day of the 2021 Dubai Airshow – expands on Indigo Partners’ previous commitment to Airbus’ best-selling twin-engine jet, and a signals its determination to capitalize on a resurgence of leisure travel after the collapse of that market segment in 2020.
Also in Dubai, Airbus has picked up an estimated $3.3-billion order for A320neo jets from Jazeera Airways; and a letter of intent from Air Lease Corp. to acquire 111 new aircraft of several different Airbus series.
The A321neo is the “lengthened fuselage variant” of Airbus’ mid-range, narrow-body A320neo series, with capacity for 240 passengers, depending on configuration. Indigo’s new order includes more than two dozen of the A321XLR model, which will be an extended-range version of the same series, capable of routes up to 4,700 nm (8,700 km, or 5,400 miles.)
Phoenix-based Indigo Partners is a private holding company for four low-cost carriers: Frontier Airlines, in the U.S. and Caribbean market will receive 91 more A321neos; JetSmart (Chile, Argentina) will take 21 A321neos and two A321XLR – the extended range version; Volaris (Mexico) will receive 21 A321neos; and Wizz Air (based in Hungary) will take 75 more A321neos and 27 A321XLRs.
The deliveries are expected to begin the last half of this decade.
In addition, JetSmart and Volaris will convert 38 previously ordered A320neo jets to the A321neo variant.
Indigo previously had orders in place for 890 A321neo series aircraft, across the four carrier brands.
“This order reaffirms our portfolio airlines’ commitment to consistent growth through the next decade,” stated Indigo managing partner Bill Franke. “The Airbus A321neo and A321XLR have industry-leading efficiency, low unit costs, and a substantially reduced carbon footprint relative to prior models. With these aircraft, Wizz, Frontier, Volaris and JetSMART will continue to offer low fares, stimulate the markets they serve and improve their industry-leading sustainability profile,” said Bill Franke, Managing Partner of Indigo Partners.
Since Airbus introduced the A321neo in 2010 it has drawn new orders for 7,550 A320neo-family aircraft.
