Willie Walsh hails “game-changing” new aircraft
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The new Airbus A321neo aircraft will be a “game-changer” for the airline industry, IAG chief executive Willie Walsh has said.
In a panel discussion at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Dublin on Friday, Walsh said that the new single-aisle jet would enable airlines to cost-effectively operate mid- to long-haul routes, including trans-Atlantic services.
“The new A321[neo] is a game-changer… because it has range and flexibility. It will change the landscape and create new long-haul opportunities,” Walsh said.
The largest version of the fuel-efficient A320neo series, the A321neo has a range of 6,850km, allowing it to comfortably operate routes such as London-New York. It also has a relatively large capacity of 185 passengers in a standard two-class configuration, and more than 200 in a single-class layout.
IAG has orders seven A321neos for Aer Lingus, which is expected to utilise the aircraft on its trans-Atlantic routes.
The first ever A321neo was delivered to Virgin America last month.
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