Airbus has unveiled the newest addition to its A320 family of aircraft, A321neo, which has a maximum take-off weight of 97t.
The launch of A321neo comes with a commitment from Air Lease (ALC) to buy 30 A321neo aircraft.
With the latest decision, ALC becomes the launch customer for the new airliner and its total purchase of A321neo increases to 90 aircraft. ALC’s total orders for Airbus aircraft will be around 258.
ALC chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Házy said: "We are excited to be the first to sign for the new longer range version of the A321neo.
"ALC wants a footprint in every promising market segment, including ones that can be opened by this new version of the A321neo."
The A321neo is said to have range of 4,000nm, accommodate 206 passengers, and is suitable for transatlantic routes, allowing airlines to tap into new long haul markets.
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By GlobalDataAirbus expects to begin deliveries of the first aircraft by 2019.
Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "The longer haul single aisle market is a lucrative one that the A321neo will now dominate, thanks to the aircraft’s superior comfort, economics and range.
"This new version of the A321neo is a high revenue generating aircraft, which will open up many new opportunities for our customers."
During 2014, Airbus has logged 1,796 gross aircraft orders, an 11% increase compared with 2013.
Image: The A321neo is suitable for transatlantic routesPhoto: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.
