Wed 12 Mar 2003
easyJet investors back Airbus purchase
easyJet said Wednesday its shareholders have approved the airline’s purchase of 120 Airbus A319 aircraft and options to buy 120 more.
The total list price of the 120 new aircraft would be about $5.3bn, but easyJet said it has been granted very substantial price concessions by Airbus and engine manufacturers General Electric and Snecma.
The deal makes easyJet the first European budget carrier to operate a mixed fleet. To date it has only used Boeing 737 aircraft in a bid to keep costs down, but the airline estimates the Airbuses will help it achieve 30% savings, including operating costs.
The single-aisle aircraft will be fitted with 150 seats, compared with 149 on Boeing’s 737-700s. They are due for delivery over five years from September 2003.
