Image courtsey of Airbus

Aer Lingus mission statement “Our mission is to be the leading value carrier across the North Atlantic. Enabled by a profitable and sustainable short-haul network…Supported by a guest focused, brand and digitally enabled value proposition…Delivering above average returns on invested capital for our IAG shareholders”.

Speaking at IAG Capital Market Day on Friday 2 November Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh outlined a strategy to maximize the opportunities presented by the new Airbus A321LR aircraft.

The first three new Airbus A321LR aircraft will be delivered in 2019 as the carrier plans ambitious expansion to grow the fleet to 14 units by 2023. A futher 5 will be delivered in 2020 and 4 in 2021 and 1 each in 2022 and 2023.  The leased Boeing 757-200s will be phased out in 2020.

A key feature of the new A321LR will be unlocking new city pair opportunities with new engine technology enabling the carrier to insulate against rising fuel costs. The aircraft will enable cost efficient fleet growth as the A321LR can operate inbound across the Atlantic to Dublin, and then on to European destinations. Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh added “This growth is CASK-efficient growth”.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 2 October concurrent certification for the Airbus A321neo to operate with up to three additional center fuel tanks, allowing it to fly up to 4,000 nautical miles with 206 passengers.

Corresponding ETOPS authorization enables up to 180 minutes of single-engine diversion time, a sufficient standard for performing any transatlantic route, according to Airbus.

According to reports Airbus expects to deliver the first A321LR by the end of the year to  Arkia, which became the de facto launch customer when, according to the manufacturer,  Primera Air (Ceased Operations 2 October) deferred delivery of two from lease company AerCap.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 4 November 2018 All Rights Reserved