British Airways has ordered eight new Airbus A320 family aircraft for delivery 2008-2010.
The airline said the move is the first step towards a single shorthaul fleet across British Airways’ network.
The airline will also upgrade the Gatwick shorthaul fleet by replacing the oldest 14 Boeing 737s with Airbus A319 aircraft.
Willie Walsh, British Airways’ chief executive said: “We’ve made considerable progress at Gatwick, particularly on costs. Gatwick is an important part of our shorthaul strategy and replacing the older Boeing 737 fleet with Airbus aircraft will give us flexibility across both airports.”
British Airways will place a major order for replacement and growth widebodied aircraft later this year for delivery in the next decade.
British Airways currently has a shorthaul fleet of 67 Airbus aircraft. The order will boost the Airbus shorthaul fleet to 79 aircraft as a further 13 are on order and nine older A320s are due to leave the fleet in 2007-2008.
At Heathrow, the airline has the following shorthaul fleet: 33 Airbus A319 aircraft, 26 Airbus A320 aircraft, 8 Airbus A321 aircraft, 13 Boeing 757 aircraft and seven Boeing 767 aircraft.
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