Aer Lingus set for fleet expansion

New Aer Lingus owner IAG is to boost its airlines’ fleets as it moves to challenge the European dominance of Ryanair and EasyJet.

The owner of British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling said yesterday that it has converted a purchase option on 15 Airbus A320 ‘neo’ short-haul planes, originally announced two years ago, into firm orders.

As a result, the aircraft will be delivered between 2018 and 2021. IAG said the new vessels can be used by any of its airlines for fleet replacement purposes.