Asiana Airlines Signs Letter of Intent for 25 Airbus A321neos

South Korean carrier Asiana Airlines has signed a letter of intent with Airbus to order 25 A321neo single-aisle aircraft, as part of its fleet modernization program.

In Asiana Airlines’ two-class cabin configuration, each Airbus A321neo will seat 180 passengers.

On February 11, 2015, Airbus announced that South Korea’s Asiana Airlines had signed a letter of intent to order 25 A321neo single-aisle jets

Asiana Airlines will operate the new aircraft on its regional international services and on selected domestic routes. Asiana will make a decision on its engine of choice for the A321neos at a later date, according to Airbus.

The A321neos will join an existing fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft operated by Asiana Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Air Busan. The A321 is set to become the primary single-aisle type at both units, the manufacturer says.

“The A320 Family is a proven success with Asiana Airlines and Air Busan, combining reliability, excellent operating economics and superior passenger comfort,” says Kim Soo Cheon, president and CEO of Asiana Airlines.

“With the A321neo we will be able to look forward to even greater levels of efficiency, with a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and increased flying range,” adds Kim. “The acquisition of the A321neo underscores our strategy to operate only the most modern and efficient aircraft that the industry has to offer.”

Roll-out from the Airbus paint shop at the manufacturer’s Hamburg plant on March 27, 2014, marked completion of the painting of Asiana Airlines’ first A380 superjumbo

Asiana Airlines currently operates 33 Airbus single-aisle aircraft (24 A321s and nine A320s), 15 widebody A330-300s and two double-deck A380s.

In addition to its newly announced commitment for the A321neo, the airline has outstanding orders for four more A380s and 30 A350 XWBs for operation on its long-haul network.

Meanwhile, Air Busan currently operates nine A320-family aircraft on its domestic and regional services.

To date, the Airbus A320 family has won firm orders for more than 11,500 aircraft and more than 6,400 A320-family jets have been delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide.