Carrier Has Received A New Jet Every 13 Days, On Average, Since
2003
EasyJet announced Monday it has reached agreement with Airbus to
exercise existing options over 35 Airbus A319s for delivery during
2011 and 2012, to sustain the British low-cost carrier's long-term
growth and help meet its goal of operating one of the youngest
fleets of any major airline in Europe with 135 of the cleanest,
quietest aircraft available in their class, said the company.
The total size of easyJet's order of Airbus aircraft, including
options, first announced in October 2002, is 315. Monday's
announcement means easyJet now has 120 aircraft on firm order with
Airbus, with a list price of over $7 billion, and holds purchase
rights for 88 more aircraft on top of that.
Airbus has delivered 105 A319s to easyJet since September 2003
-- that's a new jet every 13 days.
"This major new aircraft order supports our continuing and by
2012 we expect to have 229 aircraft and expects to carry in the
region of 65 million passengers each year - making us one of
Europe's larges airlines," said easyJet CEO Andy Harrison.
Airbus touts its A320 Family as some of the most
environmentally-efficient aircraft available, and easyJet notes the
A319s are roughly 15 percent more efficient per seat than the
older-generation 737-300 aircraft they will replace in its fleet.
Combined with its practice of higher seat densities and higher load
factors, easyJet says it emits nearly 27 percent fewer emissions
per passenger mile than a traditional airline flying similar
routes.
"Last week easyJet outlined its demands for the next generation
of aircraft technology from 2015 and unveiled its 'easyJet ecoJet' design of
concept," Harrison continued. "In the intervening years, easyJet is
proud to operate one of the youngest fleets of clean, quiet
aircraft of any major airline in Europe. Our combination of a
modern fleet, with an average age of 2.3 years, and high
utilization means that we emit nearly 27 percent fewer emissions
per passenger mile than traditional airlines flying similar
routes."
According to Bloomberg, the carrier started 14 new routes this
year and will add 16 before the end of the year and expects to
increase its capacity by 15 percent in the next 12 months. The
company opened its 17th base in Madrid in February.
"Our partnership with easyJet is strong and we're proud of it.
We're very proud our aircraft continue to be recognized as offering
the best environmental and operational performance in their class.
With the widest fuselage in the single aisle market, allowing
quicker turnaround times, the A320 family really does help increase
productivity," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer -
Customers.