Asiana

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines plans to buy 25 Airbus A321neo single aisle aircraft, valued at $2.83bn, over seven years.

The airline signed a letter of intent with Airbus to buy the aircraft between 2019 and 2025.

Asiana will fly the A321neo on regional services to Japan, China and Southeast Asia, and its budget airline subsidiary Air Busan on the domestic routes.

The 180-seater will replace the airlines existing fleet of single aisle aircraft including the A321-200, as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme.

"The 180-seater will replace the airlines existing fleet of single aisle aircraft including the A321-200, as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme."

Asiana Airlines president Kim Soo Cheon said: "The A320 family is a proven success with Asiana Airlines and Air Busan.

"With the A321neo, we will be able to look forward to even greater levels of efficiency, with a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and increased flying range."

Asiana Airlines currently operates 33 Airbus singe aisle aircraft, 15 widebody A330-300s and two double deck A380s. Air Busan operates nine A320 family aircraft.

Airbus chief operating officer customers John Leahy said: "The A321neo will bring the airline the lowest operating costs of any single aircraft, flying passengers in comfort on flights of up to six hours."

The airline has outstanding orders for four A380s and 30 A350 XWBs for its long haul network. Asiana’s deal follows an order by Spanish airlines Avianca Holdings for 100 A320neo worth $10.6bn.

The A320 family currently has more than 11,500 orders, and 6,400 aircraft were delivered to 400 customers worldwide.

Image: Asiana will fly A321neo on regional routes. Photo: courtesy of Airbus SAS.