AEGEAN, a Star Alliance member, continues the strategy of development and expansion of its activities, increasing the size of its fleet through the order of 7 new Airbus A320’s, and thereby reinforcing one of its main competitive advantages – the low average age of its aircraft.
Several factors have created the right conditions for AEGEAN to continue investing in a larger fleet of aircraft, namely the company’s successful record both domestically and internationally, its expansion through the takeover of OA, its consistent pursuit of innovative services adding value for customers and Greece’s gradual return to stability.
The deal with Airbus provides for accelerated delivery of the 5 Α320’s which had already been ordered and whose delivery was deferred owing to the difficult conditions brought about by the crisis in Greece, as well as an additional order for 2 more Airbus A320ceos. Delivery of the 7 aircraft will begin in June, 2015 and be completed by early 2016.
The aircraft will be equipped with Airbus “Sharklet” fuel saving wing tip devices and will be powered by IAE V2500 engines. Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that cut the aircraft’s fuel burn and emissions by up to four per cent on longer sectors. They are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall.
These aircraft will be the first Α320’s in the AEGEAN fleet with an increased take-off weight capacity of up to 78 tons, allowing expansion of our flight range and offering new scope for enlargement of the AEGEAN network even if the flights are operated from the most southern bases of the company (Heraklion, Rhodes or Larnaca).
Mr. Theodoros Vassilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, stated: “AEGEAN’s decision to take delivery of 7 new Airbus A320, shows its commitment to invest once more in the ongoing qualitative growth of the aviation sector in the country. The capabilities are increasing and the existing competitive advantage of the low average age of our aircrafts is further enhanced. We do everything in our hands to further increase the satisfaction of our passengers and certainly our competitiveness.”
