EasyJet plans to upgrade Airbus fleet

Budget airline easyJet is to upgrade and expand its aircraft fleet under a deal to buy 135 Airbus planes over the next nine years.

The no-frills carrier said the new 180-seater A320 planes will allow it to boost the number of passengers it can carry from 60 million a year to around 90 million.

Its new aircraft will also be more fuel-efficient, which means they cost less to run and are more environmentally friendly.

The move will allow easyJet to replace around 85 of its current 211-strong fleet of 156-seater planes, as well as giving it the room to expand and add routes.

It also has the option to buy a further 100 Airbus planes as part of the deal.

But the scale of the fleet acquisition means easyJet must get shareholder approval, with the backing of 50% of investors required, and is likely to reignite the long-running row with founder and largest shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Iaonnou.

Sir Stelios, who with his family controls a near-37% stake in easyJet, has been a vocal opponent of the group’s plans to increase its fleet.

He said earlier this year that he believes the new planes are not necessary and will be acquired at the detriment of shareholders.