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Airbus secured another order at this year's Farnborough Airshow, this time with LATAM Airlines. The carrier is keen on getting more than 15 of the planemaker's largest A320neo family aircraft, the A321neo. The airline already relies heavily on the aircraft type for several of its routes across South America, and the current order only highlights its commitment to the popular narrowbody.

LATAM adds to its A320neo order

Airbus has made another key announcement at this year's Farnborough Airshow about LATAM Airlines ordering 17 A321neo aircraft. This brings the carrier's total A320neo order to 100. Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, commented,

“We applaud LATAM’s strategic vision and sustainability ambition. This order for the A321neo on the heels of its restructuring is a strong sign for the value Airbus brings to making this vision and ambition a reality. The A321XLR will enable the opening of new routes and will allow LATAM to increase its international reach in the region.”

A320neo LATAM MSN7126 - close up
Photo: Airbus

The announcement comes close on the heels of Airbus' projection last week about Latin America needing 2,550 new planes over the next 20 years. It is also estimated that 90% of these would be narrowbody aircraft.

LATAM is expected to play a huge part in that growth, being a key player in the region and a significant Airbus client.

LATAM's faith in the A320neo family

LATAM is expecting dozens of A320neo family of aircraft by 2028 as part of its plan to modernize and maximize fleet efficiency for the coming years. The airline recently took delivery of its first A320neo since the beginning of the pandemic.

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One of the key reasons for LATAM to invest in the A320neo family is the airliner's cleaner profile when it comes to emissions. The company aims to offset 50% of its domestic emissions by 2030 and become carbon-neutral by 2050. Besides adding new generation aircraft, LATAM is also launching other initiatives to become carbon-neutral, such as using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

A LATAM Airbus A320neo flying.
Photo: Airbus

The A321neo, which incorporates new generation engines and Sharklets, delivers more than 20% fuel and CO2 savings and a 50% noise reduction. LATAM has also endorsed the A321XLR plane, which will provide a further range extension to 4,700NM, giving the aircraft a flight time of up to 11 hours. Last month, the A321XLR took to the skies for the first time, successfully accomplishing its first test flight.

Going strong

The A320neo family is one of Airbus' most successful products of all time. Since its entry into service six years ago, Airbus has delivered over 2,300 A320neo Family aircraft, contributing to a 15-million-ton decrease in CO2 production. By the end of June 2022, the A320neo family had won more than 8,100 orders from over 130 customers, of which nearly 550 have been for the A321XLR.

India, slated to become the world's third largest aviation market, is a heavy user of this type. The country's biggest airline, IndiGo, is also the largest customer of the A320neo family.

A320neo CFM easyJet order
easyJet has ordered 56 jets from the A320neo family of aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow. Photo: Airbus

On Wednesday, budget carrier easyJet also confirmed an order for 56 Airbus A320neo airliners. It also said that an existing order for 18 A320neo planes will be converted into orders for 18 A321neo aircraft.

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