An Airbus has announced a series of significant agreements without disclosing their total value. Among these, the notable deal with Saudi-based AviLease includes the procurement of 10 A350F freighters and 30 single-aisle A320neo aircraft. Additionally, an agreement with Riyahd Air involves the acquisition of 25 A350-1000 jets.
The contract with Avilease also provides an option to expand orders to 22 A350F and 55 A320neo aircraft.
Saudi airline Riyahd Air becomes a new customer for this version of the A350F freighter, which reportedly consumes 20% less fuel than previous aircraft generations, owing to 70% of its structures being composed of lighter composite materials.
Riyahd Air’s order, which could potentially double to include 25 more A350-1000 planes, will mark the airline as the first in the country to operate this aircraft, capable of carrying 375-400 passengers up to 9,000 nautical miles (16,700 kilometers) in its standard configuration.
Strategically and politically, the most pivotal agreement was secured with LOT, previously the only major European flag carrier yet to order Airbus planes.
LOT’s order aims to renew its regional aircraft fleet with 40 A220 single-aisle planes, evenly split between A220-100 and A220-300 models.
Deliveries of these 40 aircraft will begin in 2027, with the agreement allowing LOT to increase its order to 84 A220 planes.
Michal Fijol, Chairman of the LOT Board of Directors, stated during a press conference that their decision followed a careful analysis of two “very competitive” proposals, concluding that the “Airbus A220 is the right aircraft for LOT’s future.”
He emphasized that the A220 also “offers the best passenger experience” and is the most fuel-efficient, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The third agreement reached by Airbus was with the Japanese group ANA, which is purchasing 27 A321 aircraft, the largest single-aisle plane in Airbus’s range, including three long-range XLR variants, suited for specific intercontinental routes.
ANA’s CEO, Koki Shibata, commented that this agreement “demonstrates our confidence in Airbus.”
Of the 27 aircraft, 14 will be operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA), while the remaining 13, including the A321XLR model, will be assigned to its subsidiary Peach Aviation.
Peach Aviation will thus become the first Japanese airline to operate this long-range version, extending its reach to 4,700 nautical miles (approximately 8,700 kilometers).
