Aer Lingus has transferred four A350 orders to Iberia. At a time when the carrier is looking at acquiring A330 aircraft, the orders have transferred to their sister airline. Iberia is the flag carrier of Spain, while Aer Lingus is the Irish flag carrier.

Both airlines are owned by IAG, the International Airlines Group. Formed through a merger of British Airways and Iberia, the group now owns a number of airlines. This includes both full-service airlines such as British Airways and low-cost carriers such as Level.

Minus 4 orders

While Aer Lingus initially placed an order for six A350 aircraft in April 2008, it increased this order to nine aircraft. This was achieved by swapping three A330 orders. In total, the IAG group has ordered 43 Airbus A350 aircraft. The changes to future deliveries were reflected in Airbus's monthly aircraft order spreadsheet. It contained the following information:

So far Iberia has received three Airbus A350-900 aircraft, the same type that Aer Lingus had ordered. British Airways, who ordered the larger Airbus A350-1000, is expecting their first aircraft delivery to take place later this summer.

Not for Aer Lingus?

The change in order status appears to add to the evidence that the A350 may not be the ideal aircraft for Aer Lingus. In fact, the first A350s were initially due to be delivered 5 years ago back in 2014.

Instead, it looks as though the airline may, instead, be looking at the A330. This is according to the IAG Capital Markets presentation from 2018, which shows the airline wants to acquire four more A330 aircraft. In fact, this same presentation shows no place for the A350 in the future Aer Lingus fleet for the next four years. The airline is also looking at phasing out its Boeing 757 aircraft as new A321LR aircraft are delivered.

What about the other five?

It's unclear what will happen to the other five A350 aircraft still on order by Aer Lingus. They remain in Airbus's order books as the A350-900, the same type that Iberia has ordered. The Aer Lingus long haul fleet plan only goes as far as Summer 2023. As such, there is the possibility that Aer Lingus could look to implement the aircraft after this date.

The other options available include transferring them to another IAG airline, selling them, or cancelling the order at a cost to the airline. It seems unlikely that British Airways would pick up the order as they have instead ordered the larger -1000 variant of the aircraft. That leaves Iberia which does operate the -900.

Do you think Aer Lingus will keep its remaining A350 orders? If not, what do you think will happen to them? Let us know in the comments down below!