Portuguese airline company Azores Airlines has unveiled plans to add Airbus A321neo and longer range A321LR aircraft to its fleet.

Owned by Sociedade Açoreana de Transportes Aéreos (SATA), the airline’s short-haul and transatlantic aircraft fleet will be upgraded with A321neo and has plans to add longer range A321LR by 2019.

The decision is part of company’s growth strategy, as well as to expand into new transatlantic routes.

SATA Group CEO Paulo Menezes said: “Our mission is to bring the Azores to the world and the world to the Azores and we are happy to be investing in the Airbus A321neo aircraft to continue achieving this.

“The A321LR passenger comfort, performance, superior range and fuel efficiency match our long-haul, as well as regional needs.

"No other single aisle aircraft can match the A321LR’s performance, fuel efficiency and productivity."

“We have a vision of being ever stronger and more competitive in a demanding global world and also of being able to build an airline of excellence that can make its mark in the world of international commercial aviation and gradually and consistently conquer market share and visibility for the brand.”

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The A320neo aircraft features latest technologies that include new generation engines and Sharklet wing-tip devices. The company claims that the new improvements will save more than 15% fuel from day one and 20% by 2020 with further cabin innovations.

The A321LR has the ability to fly longer routes of up to 4,000nm. Airbus will begin the deliveries of new aircraft from 2019.

Airbus chief operating officer customers John Leahy said: “No other single aisle aircraft can match the A321LR’s performance, fuel efficiency and productivity and with its wider fuselage passengers will also enjoy the most comfortable cabin experience.”

Azores airlines has been an Airbus customer since the late 1990s, operating seven A310, A320 and A330 Airbus aircraft across Europe, Canada and North America.

Image: Azores Airlines to add A321neo to its fleet. Photo: courtesy of Airbus.