Asiana Airlines (10 A321neos)

South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for 25 A321neo aircraft. The contract, which finalises a commitment announced earlier this year, was signed at a special ceremony in Seoul by Kim Soo Cheon, President & CEO, Asiana Airlines and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.Seating 180 passengers in a two class layout, the new aircraft will be operated on Asiana’s regional services, as well as on selected domestic routes. Asiana will make a decision on its engine of choice for the aircraft at a later date. The A321neo will join an existing fleet of A320 Family aircraft operated by Asiana Airlines and its low cost subsidiary Air Busan, with the A321 set to become the primary single aisle type at both units."The finalisation of our latest order with Airbus will ensure that we will continue to operate the most efficient aircraft the industry has to offer in all size categories,” said Kim Soo Cheon, President & CEO, Asiana Airlines. “The A321neo will bring a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and increased flying range. And for our passengers the aircraft will enable us to offer the very highest standards of service and comfort on even our shortest routes.”"We are pleased to be the preferred partner of Asiana Airlines,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. "The A321neo will bring the airline the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft, flying passengers in comfort on flights of up to six hours. We will be especially proud to see the A321neo flying in Asiana colours, as part of a future fleet that will comprise aircraft from the entire Airbus product line.”

An Asiana spokesman confirmed the airline is still planning to take delivery of all 25 A321neos it has on order, which are expected to begin arriving in July, although the date is subject to change. The Neos will replace Asiana’s current A321s, the spokesman said.