EASYJET sprung a surprise at short notice last Monday morning, that it has chosen Airbus as its preferred supplier of new aircraft for the immediate future. Previously a sole Boeing operator the airline plans to operate a mixed fleet of Boeing 737-300/700s and Airbus A319 aircraft from the summer of next year when the first Airbus arrives. Subject to contract, easyJet will take a total of 120 aircraft spread over a four year period. The A319, with a seating capacity about the same as the 148-seat Boeings, will be assembled at Hamburg. easyJet has decided on an aircraft with 40-seat less capacity than the Boeing ”new generation” 737-800 chosen by its rival Ryanair. The larger 180-seat Airbus A320 is assembled at Toulouse. Engines have yet to be decided. easyJet is only the second of the so-called budget airlines to chose Airbus. The first was the successful New York based 21st century startup Jet Blue.
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