newstodate.aero

Jun 08, 2023 (newstodate): Icelandair sees it future with Airbus after signing an MoU in April 2023 for the purchase of 13 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with purchase rights for another 12 aircraft.
    Deliveries are slated to commence in 2029, but Icelandair expects to introduce the Airbus A321XLR already from 2025 by leasing four aircraft of the type as an interim solution.
   However, the airline is keen to build up experience with the aircraft type even before leasing in the A321 by 2025.
   Icelandair is thus now wet-leasing one Airbus A321 from the IOSA certified Bulgarian carrier Fl2Sky to operate flights on routes from Keflavik to Copenhagen, Billund, Oslo, Stockholm and London during the period June 6-18, 2021.
   In a podcast interview in May 2023, the Group's CEO Nils Bogason said that the company is currently discussing internally whether there is a possibility of putting one or two Airbus aircraft into use as early as next summer, 2024.
   Stressing that no decision has been made yet, an early implementation may ease the introduction of the planned Airbus A321 from 2025.
   In the podcast, Mr Bogason also confirmed that final negotiations are proceeding with Airbus over the MoU, with a firm-up of the order to take place already in June, probably at this yer's Paris Air Show.