Air One, who flies from London City Airport to Milan and Rome using Transwede Avro 70 aircraft, has announced the purchase of a further 10 A320s, following contracts signed with Airbus in November and December last year. The Rome-based airline, the second largest in Italy, now has firm orders for a total of 40 A320s and has a further 25 options and 25 purchase rights.
Air One”s A320s are powered by CFM International CFM56-5B6/P engines, and will offer a two-class cabin layout for up to 159 passengers. They will gradually replace the airline”s current fleet of Boeing 737s. With the additional A320s, Air One, which is already serving 23 destinations, will be able to launch new routes in Europe.
Air One President Carlo Toto said: "The purchase of these additional 10 A320s comes as part of our company”s growth strategies, with a view to achieving major development in the international market as well as consolidation in the domestic marketplace over the next few years. The Airbus A320s assure superior comfort and economics, as well as lower operating costs.”
Airbus is actively pursuing the A318 as a successor to the out of production Avro for LCY, which it sees as a high profile niche market. With Iberia, the only A318 operator at the present time, and seemingly uninterested, attention could now focus on Air One as a prospective Airbus operator in the airport.