AER LINGUS has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of seven Airbus A320s to implement its European fleet simplification strategy. In addition to the purchased aircraft the airline has contracted to lease 10 new A320s from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). All 17 aircraft are due to be delivered by the end of 2005 and will be powered by CFM 56 engines. The new A320s will join the airline”s current Airbus fleet comprising four A320s, six A321s and seven wide body A330s. The Irish state airline plans to open 15 new European routes over the next two years, adding to the 15 opened over the past two years.
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