Air Arabia Delays Airbus A320neo Deliveries to 2025
Air Arabia is making strategic moves to expand its fleet while awaiting the arrival of 120 Airbus A320 family aircraft. The low-cost carrier (LCC) has placed a significant order for A320neos and A321XLRs, but the deliveries have been postponed due to a combination of supply chain issues and the airline’s own decision to delay. The initial deliveries of the A320neo are now expected to begin in the second half of 2025, followed by the A321XLRs starting in 2027.
Currently, Air Arabia operates a fleet of around 85 Airbus A320ceos, A321ceos, and A321LRs across its multiple brands, which include Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Air Arabia Egypt, Air Arabia Maroc, and Fly Jinnah. This order will more than double the airline’s fleet over the coming years, positioning it to significantly expand its operational capacity in key markets.
During the Routes World event in Bahrain, Air Arabia CEO Adel Ali discussed the reasons behind the delay. Ali stated that the 120 aircraft on order have been delayed not only because of supply chain and reliability issues but also at Air Arabia’s request. “We decided to delay the neo deliveries until late 2024,” Ali explained, noting that the airline is waiting for the next generation of CFM LEAP engines, expected to be available in the coming year. As a result, the first A320neo deliveries are now anticipated for the second half of 2025.
In the meantime, Air Arabia has been leasing additional aircraft to meet demand and support business growth. However, the specifics of these leases were not disclosed. Ali emphasized that the airline prefers to wait and see how new aircraft models perform before adopting them. “We don’t normally race to be the first to operate a new airplane. I’d rather have another airline test it, and if it works well, then we’ll get to use it,” Ali said.
The addition of A321XLRs, which are scheduled to arrive starting in 2027, will provide Air Arabia with an impressive range of 8.5 hours, potentially enabling long-haul flights. Despite the extended range, Ali clarified that Air Arabia has no plans to operate transatlantic routes. Instead, the airline will focus on extending its network within the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.
From its base in Morocco, Air Arabia aims to expand further into Russia, while its operations from the Middle East will reach as far as South Africa. Egypt, another key market for the airline, has significant untapped potential, which Air Arabia intends to explore in the near future. Ali pointed out that Egypt’s market remains underdeveloped, providing ample opportunity for growth.
The airline’s newest brand, Fly Jinnah, based in Pakistan, has been another success story. Launched two years ago, the venture has performed exceptionally well, achieving high load factors without relying on the Air Arabia name. Fly Jinnah focuses on developing routes from Islamabad and northern Pakistan, bypassing the more competitive Karachi market. Ali highlighted the untapped potential in this region, stating that Air Arabia plans to continue growing the business.
As Air Arabia continues to lease additional aircraft and await the delivery of its new Airbus A320neos and A321XLRs, the airline is poised for significant expansion, both in terms of fleet size and market reach.
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