British Airways to ramp up long-haul capacity with new aircraft order
James ChappleBritish Airways’ parent IAG has firmed up an order for several new, more fuel-efficient aircraft – with options to grow this to a dozen – to restore BA’s long-haul capacity to pre-pandemic levels and renew its fleet.
IAG on Friday (28 July) confirmed it was converting options held by BA for six new Boeing 787-10 aircraft into firm orders, while also taking out new options on a further six B787-10s. IAG has also converted an option on one Airbus A350-900 aircraft, held by BA stablemate Iberia, into a firm order.
The seven new aircraft on firm order will be delivered during 2025 and 2026, and will be used by BA and Iberia – said IAG – "to restore capacity in the airlines’ long-haul fleets".
Luis Gallego, IAG chief executive, said: "These latest generation aircraft will contribute to restoring capacity to pre-pandemic levels. They will be among the most fuel-efficient aircraft in our long-haul fleet and will help towards our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050."
IAG detailed its fleet renewal strategy in a half-year trading update on Friday, in which it confirmed it was expecting to take delivery of 30 aircraft in total this year.
This includes 11 wide-body aircraft, six for British Airways, four for Iberia and one for Level, and 19 narrow-body aircraft spread across BA, Iberia, Level, Aer Lingus and Vueling.
It claims 43% of its long-haul and short-haul fleet now comprises quieter, more fuel-efficient "next generation" aircraft.
Focusing specifically on BA, IAG now expects BA to return to pre-pandemic levels of non-premium capacity next
year, long-haul capacity by 2025, and premium capacity by 2026.
In addition, it has converted options on 10 new Airbus A320neo aircraft into firm orders to renew its short-haul fleet. Deliveries will start in 2028.
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