6 Apr 2023 15:30

Azerbaijan Airlines orders 12 narrow-body A320neo jets from Airbus

BAKU. April 6 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan's national airline Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will purchase 12 Airbus A320neo narrow-body passenger aircraft.

"The national airline of Azerbaijan has placed an order for 12 Airbus aircraft of the A320neo family, including A320neo and A321neo liners. The contract signing ceremony took place on April 6 in Baku," the airline said in a statement.

The contract was signed by AZAL First Vice President Samir Rzayev and Airbus Vice President for Europe Wouter van Versch.

"The new aircraft are part of a fleet renewal strategy aimed at operating modern, fuel-efficient aircraft to increase the airline's efficiency and competitiveness. It also aims to provide a high level of passenger comfort across all aircraft in its fleet. The choice of engines will be made by the airline at a later stage," the statement said.

The airline plans to use A320neo family aircraft to develop its domestic and international route network.

Currently, AZAL's fleet consists of Boeing aircraft (Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner) and 15 Airbus jets: four A319ceo, six A320ceo, two A340, and three A320neo, which went into operation earlier this year.

Rzayev said earlier that according to AZAL's strategic development plan, by 2030 the fleet will include only two types of aircraft - narrow-body A320neos and wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners.