easyJet Extends Airbus Partnerships

摘要

LOW-COST AIRLINE easyJet has exercised purchase rights to increase its fleet of A320neos by 12. The agreement takes its total order for the new-generation type to 159 and overall orders for A320 Family jets to 480. Using a fleet of 333 examples, easyJet operates more than 1,000 routes serving 155 European airports in more than 30 countries. The carrier currently has 40 A320neo Family aircraft comprising 33 A320neo and seven A321neo variants. In a separate development, easyJet and Airbus have signed a memorandum of understanding relating to a joint research venture into hybrid electric aircraft. The collaboration will support the work of easyJet partner and US start-up company Wright Electric, which is already under way. Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, remarked: "The project will aim to identify the detailed technical challenges and requirements for hybrid and electric planes when deployed for short-haul flying around Europe, so that we can help shape the technology and airline networks of the future. We hope this will be an important step towards making hybrid electric planes a reality."