This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

  • rsz_airbus_50th_years_anniversary_formation_flight_-_air_to_air
    Airbus
    Stock Code:
    AIR
    Date Founded:
    1970-12-18
    CEO:
    Guillaume Faury
    Headquarters Location:
    Toulouse, France
    Key Product Lines:
    Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

Condor has selected the Airbus A320neo family to modernize its fleet. The German leisure airline will take 41 of Airbus' narrowbody, mixing A320neos and A321neos. Condor will directly purchase some of the aircraft, while others will be bought by a third party and leased to the airline.

Condor expects to take its first Airbus A330neo later this year, replacing its aging Boeing widebody fleet. It seems as though Airbus is the way forward for the carrier, with A320neo deliveries set to follow. Airbus' CCO, Cristian Scherer, noted this, welcoming Condor as a future all-Airbus operator.

A natural choice for Condor?

Condor choosing the A320neo family for its future isn't a huge shock. The airline already operates a fleet of Airbus A320ceo family aircraft. Implementing the A320neo means that the airline can benefit from the commonality between the two jets. Pilots can fly both aircraft, while a host of spare parts can also be shared between the two lines.

A321_Sunshine
Photo: Condor.

However, the commonality doesn't stop with the A320 family. Airbus remarked that Condor would secure additional economic benefits driven by commonality through the parallel operation of the A320neo and A330neo. It has been a busy period for Condor, as it recently revealed a new business class cabin, having previously announced a total rebrand of the airline.

Read more: Bold: Condor Breaks The Mold With Its Colorful New Livery

The A320neo and A321neo won't just replace the classic engine option Airbus jets. The order will also be used to replace the airline's Boeing 757s. The Airbus A330neo is replacing the Boeing 767s. These replacements will slowly turn Condor into an all-Airbus airline. The order will also be welcome news to Airbus after a miserable Farnborough Airshow regarding aircraft orders.

Driven by fuel reduction

Condor's CEO, Ralf Teckentrup, revealed that the decision to replace the short-to-mid-sized fleet was partially driven by a desire to be more fuel efficient. He commented,

"After we will have replaced our entire long-haul fleet with state-of-the-art [A330neo] aircraft by the beginning of 2024, it is the logical next step for us to modernize our short- and medium-haul fleet as well. With our new A320neo and A321neo aircraft, we are... taking care of our own aspiration to enable responsible and at the same time comfortable travel with significantly reduced CO2 emissions, significantly lower fuel consumption and less noise."

The existing Condor A330 current engine option
Photo: Condor

Condor says that the Airbus A330neo, tied with this new Airbus A320neo family commitment, will give it one of the greenest fleets in Europe. According to ch-aviation.com, the average age of the Condor fleet currently sits at 16.6 years. The Boeing 757s have an average age of 23.1 years, while the average age of the 767s is 26.9 years.

What do you make of Condor's decision to take the Airbus A320neo? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!