The rise of the XLR continues – with SKY of Chile adding to the Airbus order book.
SKY – a Chilean-based low-cost carrier- has signed a Purchase Agreement for 10 A321XLRs.
The airline will use the new aircraft to expand its international route network with the new aircraft.
SKY is an all-Airbus narrow body operator, flying the Airbus A319 and A320neo in its fleet – with 23 frames in total.
In quotes
Holger Paulmann, CEO of SKY said
“This new aircraft fleet will allow us to expand our offer of international and wide-ranging routes, always under our successful low-cost model and its extremely convenient ticket prices. Now passengers can enjoy new and very attractive destinations on the most modern airplanes in the market,”
Arturo Barreira, President of Airbus Latin America, said:
“We are delighted that SKY has selected the A321XLR to further expand its fleet of all Airbus aircraft. The A321XLR will allow SKY to offer its customers new destinations, such as direct flights from Santiago in Chile to Miami in the U.S.”
Expanding long haul intentions and a Boeing headache…
With SKY going for the A321XLR, there is an intent of long haul operation in a single class. That will be nothing new (see Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and so on who have ordered the A321XLR already).
However, it does lead to a pressure point with the competitors to Airbus – namely Boeing.
With the XLR racking up orders step-by-step, Boeing is still working out what to do with its “Middle of the Market” aircraft, and how to challenge Airbus in this market they’ve pushed into rather rapidly.
Whilst there is room for an uprated 737 MAX, a 767 on steroids, a down-gauged 787, or a completely new clean-sheet design – how this will turn out will be in the hands of the designers, its customers and accountants.
But the window for making a big splash with a middle of the market aircraft is closing, as Airbus demonstrates its product catalogue and its list of customers – with even some traditional Boeing customers turning to Airbus.
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