Top executives of Norwegian Air, which flies a Boeing-only fleet, met with a sales team from rival aircraft maker Airbus last month, according to an internal Norwegian memo seen by Reuters and confirmed by a company spokesperson.
Leased Aircraft
The budget carrier, which today operates approximately 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, said in October that it had agreed to lease up to 13 more 737-800 NG aircraft ahead of the 2022 European summer season.
However, it added that some of the leased aircraft can be substituted for "new technology narrow-body aircraft from either Boeing or Airbus", the two main competitors in the commercial aircraft market for decades.
"I can confirm that there has been a recent dialogue between Airbus and representatives of Norwegian's corporate management," the spokesperson for the airline said, while declining to elaborate.
Implications
Should Norwegian switch to Airbus, it would be the first time it has non-Boeing aircraft in its fleet, with implications for the organisation, such as re-training crew.
Discussing The Latest Developments In Aircraft Technology
The memo cited Tore Jenssen, head of the airline's fleet company Arctic Aviation Assets, saying that Norwegian and Airbus had been discussing the latest developments in aircraft technology. Chief executive Geir Karlsen was also present at the meeting.
Dispute
Norwegian emerged from government-backed bankruptcy proceedings in May of last year but is still locked in a dispute with Boeing over the cancellation of orders for 97 aircraft, which is to be decided in US legal proceedings.
Not The First
A deal with Airbus would not be Norwegian's first, however. It signed a agreement in 2012 to buy 100 jets with options for a further 50 but only took delivery of a fraction of the order before it was forced to restructure. The planes were leased to other carriers and the Airbus contract terminated as part of the restructuring.
Jenssen acknowledged the company's long history with Airbus and was quoted as saying, "We look to operate a modern fleet fit for a more sustainable future."
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