GREECE- AEGEAN (A3) has announced its strategic initiative to invest in an extended-range and upgraded cabin quality version of the Airbus A321neo, creating a specialized sub-fleet initially comprising four aircraft.
These A321neo aircraft will be tailored to serve better non-EU markets, particularly those to the South and South-East of Greece.
Aegean Orders 4 Airbus A321neo
Equipped with additional fuel tanks, they will have the operational capability for flights lasting up to 7.5 hours. Moreover, the cabin configuration of these aircraft will undergo significant enhancements to elevate comfort levels for Economy and Business Class passengers.
The seat count will be reduced from the standard 220 seats in AEGEAN’s A321neo version to less than 180 seats.
Furthermore, these aircraft will feature satellite connectivity, in-flight entertainment (IFE screens) at every seat, and a premium lie-flat seat Business Class product. A media event is scheduled for Q2 2024 to unveil the product features of these aircraft to the public.
AEGEAN plans to deploy this product on services to existing and potentially new non-EU destinations with a flight duration of approximately 4 to 7.5 hours.
These destinations may include Gulf countries like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai, and potentially new ones such as Bahrain, Doha, and Oman, as well as Central African cities like Lagos, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi. Additionally, routes to Asia, such as Delhi or Mumbai in India or Almaty in Kazakhstan, are being considered.
Typically, flights to these non-EU destinations are operated by carriers using aircraft with higher comfort levels and lower seat density than intra-European flights. AEGEAN aims to serve and develop these markets with an upgraded product, leveraging the quality of its crews.
These new upgraded “special purpose” aircraft are expected to be delivered to AEGEAN in 2026 and 2027.
CEO Remarks
Dimitris Gerogiannis, CEO of AEGEAN, emphasized the immense potential for both AEGEAN and Greece in exploring markets beyond the EU, particularly in the Gulf region, Africa, and various parts of Asia. Given their strategic geographical location at the southeast edge of Europe, they see an opportunity to serve these regions effectively with a specialized, extended-range version of the A321neo aircraft.
Acknowledging the importance of providing passengers with a significantly enhanced cabin experience that aligns with AEGEAN’s service values, Gerogiannis highlighted the necessity of offering greater comfort and enhanced features for passengers flying on longer routes.
To meet this demand, AEGEAN is investing substantially in developing an extended-range sub-fleet comprising four aircraft. This investment aims to equip their crews with the necessary tools to represent AEGEAN’s values effectively on flights to these distant markets.
Gerogiannis emphasized that this initiative marks a significant step forward in expanding AEGEAN’s reach and capabilities. He expressed anticipation in welcoming passengers from these markets to enjoy a new level of travel experience with AEGEAN in the years ahead.
All-Airbus Fleet
In late 2023, AEGEAN exercised three additional options for Airbus A321neo aircraft under the existing Purchase Agreement with Airbus. Additionally, they converted five firm orders for A320neo aircraft to A321neo. With these options and conversions, the total number of A320/321 family neo aircraft either received or on order has now reached 50, out of which 29 are A321neo.
Out of the 29 A321neo aircraft, 25 will adhere to the current standard configuration. However, an initial four aircraft will undergo upgrades to feature a new “special purpose” configuration, offering longer range and enhanced comfort tailored for destinations outside the EU with longer flight times.
To date, AEGEAN has taken delivery of twenty-eight Airbus 321/321neo aircraft, with an additional twenty-two scheduled for delivery between 2024 and 2028.
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