LAN Airlines Orders 30 More Airbus A320-Family Aircraft

Latin American airline group LAN Airlines S.A. and its subsidiaries has signed a contract to order 30 Airbus A320-family aircraft, to be delivered between 2011 and 2016.

The new aircraft will operate flights within Latin America as well as domestic routes in Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Chile and will be used for the renewal and growth of the company’s short haul fleet, according to LAN. It values the order at approximately US$1.972 billion at list prices.

In addition to the purchase, says LAN, its strategic fleet renewal plan involves the sale of five Airbus A318s in 2011.

According to Wikipedia, as of September the LAN Airlines fleet included 27 A320s, with seven more on order; 20 A319s, with six more on order; and 15 A318s. As a result, the latest order should increase its total A320-family buy to 105 aircraft.

LAN says its order for the new Airbus A320s reflects LAN’s strong commitment to the environment as the aircraft incorporate the industry’s latest technology and are highly efficient in fuel consumption, allowing for a substantial reduction in emissions, while also decreasing noise levels.

The LAN Airlines group has ordered 30 more Airbus A320-family aircraft, but the deal is unlikely to include any more A318s (one of which is shown here) because LAN is selling five of the short-fuselage aircraft in 2011

“This investment ensures the Company’s future growth and reaffirms LAN’s commitment to the development of commercial aviation in Latin America, as well as to the economic growth and social development of countries in the region,” says Ignacio Cueto, LAN Airlines’ chief operating officer. “These aircraft are operated by the world’s best airlines and feature the latest technology, creating a substantial change in terms of service, quality and comfort, and allowing LAN to offer the best travel experience to our passengers.”

LAN Airlines is one of the leading passenger and cargo airlines in Latin America. The company and its affiliates serve more than 65 destinations internationally through an extensive network that offers full connectivity within Latin America, while also linking the region with North America, Europe and the South Pacific, as well as 63 additional international destinations through its various alliances. LAN Airlines and its affiliates have market-leading positions in their respective domestic markets of Chile and Peru. The group also has an important presence in the Argentinean domestic market and has begun operations in the Ecuadorian domestic market.

The LAN order, announced on December 23, is the second significant new-aircraft deal for Airbus in two days. On December 22 Malaysia Airlines announced it was ordering 15 more Airbus A330-300 widebodies and optioning 10, for delivery from 2011 to 2016, in a deal valued at $5 billion at list prices.