Boost for Airbus as budget Japanese carrier orders 13 A320 jets

Japan’s Peach Aviation has signed an order with Airbus for the purchase of 10 A320neo and three A320ceo.

The order worth £1bn was announced at a signing ceremony in Tokyo 1am UK time.

The newly-ordered aircraft will join an existing A320 Family fleet at Peach currently comprising 18 A320ceo and another two on order.

“Our A320 fleet is growing as our route network expands, not only in the domestic market but also to various Asian cities,” Shinichi Inoue, Managing Director and CEO, Peach Aviation.

“By introducing the A320neo to our fleet we will enhance even further our profitability while continuing to offer our passengers greater comfort with 18-inch wide seats.”

We believe that the A320neo will strengthen our position in the competitive Japanese aviation market.”

#Airbus a la “peach”. Il signe ce matin la vente de 13 avions à la compagnie low-cost japonaise Peach. 10 A320neo et 3 A320ceo. pic.twitter.com/QedqBNvO1t

— Yann Rousseau (@yannsan) November 18, 2016

The Japanese budget carrier said it will begin introducing the new planes from 2019.

The deal will help Airbus in its race against Boeing in Japan, where the latter is a bigger player with its strong ties to local aerospace says Reuters.

Peach is 39 percent owned by ANA Holdings, Japan’s biggest airline.

All wings for the A320neo are made here in Deeside at Airbus Broughton.