TOULOUSE- Virgin Atlantic (VS) has adjusted its aircraft order strategy and reduced its Airbus A350-1000 commitment while adding A330-900s to its fleet plan.
The airline originally intended to acquire 12 A350-1000s, with eight on direct order from Airbus and four through lessor Air Lease.
Virgin Atlantic Changes Airbus Order
Air Lease had previously announced that Virgin Atlantic would lease an additional two A350-1000s, potentially bringing the total to 14. However, Virgin Atlantic has only taken delivery of six A350-1000s from its direct order with Airbus, reported FlightGlobal.
Airbus’s July backlog figures reveal that Virgin Atlantic has canceled the remaining two A350-1000s from its original order. This move suggests a shift in the airline’s long-haul fleet strategy.
At the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow, Virgin Atlantic announced an agreement for seven A330-900 aircraft. Airbus officially recorded this order on July 23, 2022, indicating a pivot towards this newer, more efficient wide-body model.
The A330-900 offers improved fuel efficiency and operational flexibility compared to older wide-body aircraft. This order aligns with industry trends towards more economical and environmentally friendly aircraft.
Airbus July Order Book
The aircraft manufacturer’s July data includes new orders from Japan Airlines and Berniq Airways, unveiled during the event.
Vietjet has been confirmed as the customer for 20 A330neo aircraft ordered in June, adding clarity to a previously undisclosed transaction. This revelation highlights the growing demand for wide-body aircraft in the Asian market.
Airbus also secured an agreement for 15 A321neo aircraft in early July from an undisclosed customer. This order underscores the continued popularity of the A321neo among airlines seeking efficient narrow-body options.
The manufacturer’s net order total for the first seven months of 2022 stands at 367 aircraft. This figure demonstrates resilient demand for new aircraft despite ongoing industry challenges.
Airbus delivered 400 aircraft in the January-July period, with 77 of these handovers occurring in July alone.
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