The purchase is estimated at US$453 million. The new planes should enter service in 2015
Arkia Israel Airlines signed a purchase order for four Airbus A321neo aircraft, in a deal worth US$453.2 million. The news was disclosed at the Farnborough International Air Show.
All four planes will be configured in a 220-seat, all economy layout. This order makes the airline a new Airbus customer and the first airline in Israel to order the A320 neo Family.
The flexibility and range capabilities of the A321 neo will allow Arkia to operate their new aircraft on expanding routes to European and domestic destinations.
Arkia’s current fleet consists of five ATR-42s, two Boeing 757-300s and one Embraer E195. The carrier serves routes within Israel and the Middle East, as well as about a dozen destinations in Europe.
Gadi Tepper CEO of Arkia, said in a press release: “The A321neo is a perfect fit for our strategy, to efficiently grow in both international and domestic markets and is the ideal, cost effective solution to our fleet needs”
Tepper added, “the A321neo will bring new levels of comfort to our passengers whilst creating value for our fleet".
Nir Dagan, Executive Vice President, Arkia, noted that “following an intensive study Arkia found the A321neo and its proposed engines as the most suitable to it's needs and economics, The re-fleeting project will also expand the scope of Arkia’s current maintenance activities in the region.”
The A320neo will enter into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6, and this aircraft also has a considerably smaller noise footprint.
