{"id":67893,"date":"2024-08-04T20:06:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-04T14:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=67893"},"modified":"2024-08-04T20:06:06","modified_gmt":"2024-08-04T14:36:06","slug":"aer-lingus-eyes-airbus-a321xlrs-after-pilot-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/04\/aer-lingus-eyes-airbus-a321xlrs-after-pilot-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Aer Lingus Eyes Airbus A321XLRs after New Deal with Pilots"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LONDON-<\/strong> Aer Lingus (EI) <\/a>revives plans to introduce the Airbus A321XLR<\/a> after reaching a new labor deal with its pilots in July. This development follows parent company IAG’s decision in May to withdraw Aer Lingus as the launch operator for the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IAG’s earlier decision stemmed from concerns over cost structures at Aer Lingus. The move also stripped the Irish carrier of its status as the A321XLR’s launch operator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Aer
Photo: Tobias Gudat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus Eyes A321XLR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Iberia (IB)<\/a>, another IAG-owned airline, replaced Aer Lingus as the launch customer. The Spanish carrier plans to deploy the long-range narrowbody on North American routes, including Boston (BOS) and Washington DC (IAD), later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton announces plans to revisit the A321XLR acquisition with IAG management. This follows a new pilot agreement that addresses previous concerns about cost structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilot deal includes a 17.75% pay rise and introduces structural changes beneficial for company expansion. A new narrowbody pay scale now exists, potentially enabling A321XLR operations across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement brings two key structural changes. First, a new pay scale cap applies to all narrowbody flying, improving productivity for European and transatlantic pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, the deal removes a “crew agreement” that reduced summer productivity by about 7%. This change allows for more efficient crew utilization year-round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embleton emphasizes that these changes will lead to better unit costs for Aer Lingus in the future. The four-year duration of the pilot agreement, longer than the usual three years, provides increased business certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Robin Hardy <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IAG Group Cheif Remarks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IAG is considering options for A321XLR orders following Aer Lingus’s renewed interest. The group holds 14 orders for the long-range narrowbody aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IAG’s Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Cadbury confirms ongoing deliberations about A321XLR allocation within the group. This statement suggests potential changes in the aircraft’s deployment across IAG airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aer Lingus faced financial setbacks due to recent pilot strikes. The industrial action cost the airline \u20ac55 million, impacting both second and third-quarter finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Irish carrier’s first-half profit decreased significantly, falling to \u20ac9 million from \u20ac40 million the previous year. This decline highlights the financial challenges Aer Lingus faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airbus achieved a milestone with European certification for the A321XLR just before the Farnborough Air Show. This certification marks a crucial step towards the aircraft’s commercial service entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your thoughts on the Aer Lingus Pilots dispute? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryanair CEO Slams Aer Lingus Pilots of Blackmail Amid Strike Threat<\/a><\/blockquote>