Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 90 A321neos, expanding the airline’s order book to 170 A320 Family aircraft.
On Wednesday (July 5, 2023), Airbus announced that Mexican ultra-low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the purchase of 90 A321neos. The new order expands the airline’s order book to 170 A320 Family aircraft. The A321neo is the largest member of the A320neo Family and offers exceptional range and performance. With new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo delivers a 50 percent noise reduction and over 20 percent fuel savings versus previous generation single-aisle aircraft.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Viva Aerobus’ Chief Executive Officer, Juan Carlos Zuazua, said,
“These 90 A321neo 240-seater aircraft will allow us to grow and renew our fleet and remain the youngest in Latin America. The technology and operational efficiency of the A321neos will improve our operational reliability, on-time performance, and provide an unmatched passenger experience. Additionally, we expect to drive further cost-savings which will reflect in lower airfares and strengthen one of our most important advantages: having the lowest cost in the Americas. The fuel-efficiency and noise reduction that the A321neo provides will advance our sustainability efforts by delivering immediate, tangible carbon emission reductions, thus enhancing our position as the most efficient airline in the continent.”
Also commenting on the A321neo order, Airbus’ Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, Christian Scherer, added,
“The Mexican leisure market is in full recovery mode and Viva Aerobus is at the centre of the action! The unbeatable economics of the A321neo make it the perfect choice for the airline's ultra-low cost model. We are pleased to have been a partner with the airline since 2013 and look forward to working together as it continues on its growth trajectory.”
Viva Aerobus has based their fleet renewal strategy on the A320 Family. In 2013, the carrier ordered 52 A320 Family aircraft, the largest Airbus aircraft order placed by a single airline in Mexico at the time. In 2018, Viva Aerobus also ordered 25 A321neos. Currently, the airline operates 74 A320 Family aircraft.
Airbus has sold more than 1,150 aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean. Over 750 are operating in the region, with another 500 in the order backlog, representing a nearly 60 percent market share of in-service passenger aircraft. Since 1994, Airbus has secured 75 percent of net orders in the region.
Source: Airbus