German leisure carrier Condor will renew its short-haul fleet with 41 aircraft from the Airbus A320neo family. The move comes shortly after the airline chose Airbus for its long-haul fleet renewal.
Condor Puts in Large Airbus Order
The order consists of 13 A320neos and 28 A321neos, as well as further purchase options that the airline hasn’t articulated. The aircraft will be used to replace the parts of Condor’s ageing fleet. According to data from ch-aviation.com, the airline currently operates a short-haul fleet of 19 A320s with an average age of 18 years and 10 of the larger A321 variant with an average age of 8 years.
The “new engine option” (neo) aircraft feature more efficient engines that are quieter and consume less fuel. “With our new A320neo and A321neo aircraft, we are consistently developing our fleet and ourselves as a company, and also taking care of our own ambition to enable responsible and at the same time comfortable travel with significantly reduced carbon emissions, lower fuel consumption, and less noise,” Says Ralf Teckentrup, CEO of Condor.
The new jets will be delivered in Spring 2024, just as the airline completes its long-haul fleet renewal. The airline ordered seven Airbus A330neo and will lease nine more to replace its long-haul Boeing aircraft. Condor currently operates 13 B767s with an average age of 27 years. The carrier will introduce the Airbus replacements in the Autumn of this year.
“Obvious Step” After Long-Haul Fleet Renewal
Teckentrup says renewing Condor’s short-haul fleet was a clear progression from updating their long-haul planes. “With the replacement of our entire long-haul fleet with the latest 2-litre aircraft by early 2024, it is the obvious next step for us to modernise our short-haul and medium-haul fleet as well.”
Striped Condor A330 | © Aviation ToulouseCondor caught the aviation headlines this year with its controversial “flying beach towel” livery. The paint job, which featured brightly coloured horizontal stripes inspired by traditional holiday beachwear, split opinion among avGeeks.
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