Interesting report on FlightglobalPro this afternoon based on an interview with Stephen Kavanagh of EI.
It's subscription content so I won't cut and paste, but the key points:
- Aer Lingus is the process of deciding whether it will go for the Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737-9 Max to modernise its SH fleet. Decision timescale is 12-18 months. Despite the existing all-Airbus fleet, they are open to talking to Boeing. [He would say that, wouldn't he...
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- EI plans to own more of its fleet directly, as it has €1bn of gross cash on the balance sheet. Hence for example the plan is that half the A350-900s on order will be paid for in cash and half will be leased.
- Iberia A319s leased from RBS: 2 aircraft expected by 3Q2012, others by 3Q2013.
- Recently returned some A320/A321 to ILFC at the end of their leases, and completed some sale and leasebacks with short leaseback terms. One A320 is currently offered for sale. They want to keep the fleet size at 36 and the aircraft for sale is the 37th.