The airline is likely to confirm plans to buy 25 Airbus A320 aircraft on which it can carry180 passengers ” 24 more than it can fit on its A319s, the current mainstay of its fleet, and 31 more than on its Boeing 737s.
The order is a conversion of part of an already agreed deal with Airbus for 120 A319s for delivery by 2012. The A320s, which are widely used by charter airlines in the 180-seat layout, will be used to expand capacity on popular routes at peak times and at slot-congested airports.
An easyJet spokesman said he was unable to confirm plans, but said a decision had been taken ”in principle” to add bigger aircraft to its fleet.
”We are talking to Airbus now, but we have not made any announcements,” he said.
The A320s may be used to expand easyJet”s operation at Manchester, where it has a foothold following its purchase of the former British Airways franchise GB Airways last year. The GB deal also allowed easyJet to become the biggest airline at Gatwick, where it has taken over a significant part of the North Terminal from BA.
EasyJet already has experience of operating the A320 as it acquired several when it bought GB Airways. However, it is disposing of these aircraft as they are in a two-class configuration.
Its rival Ryanair operates one type of Boeing 737, seating 189. Despite continuing to take new deliveries of aircraft, Ryanair will ground eight 737s at Stansted this winter, nearly a quarter of its fleet at the airport, in response to flagging demand.
Gary Noakes
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