Yemenia to buy 10 A320 aircraft

Yemen’s national carrier Yemenia has agreed to buy 10 A320 aircraft to add to its all-Airbus fleet as it signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French aeroplane manufacturer on Monday.

The deal will cost a total of $700 million (Dh2.6 billion), both Airbus and Yemenia have announced.

John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer-Customers of Airbus, said the MoU will be finalised within 30 days, resulting to a firm order of the aircraft – the first delivery is expected in 2011.

Saleh Alawaji, member of Yemenia’s board of directors, said the new eco-efficient A320s will be used for commercial services to destinations in Africa, Indian sub-continent and even the Far East, although he did not mention specific locations.

Yemenia, jointly owned by the Saudi and Yemeni government, currently operates two A330-200s and three A310s. It plans to configure its new orders of A320s into a two-class configuration with seating for 12 passengers in Business Class and 138 in Economy.

When asked if the new A320s will be used to eventually phase out the A310s in its fleet, Alawaji did not discount the possibility.

‘This is a firm agreement for 10 (A320) aircraft. To some extent, yes, we are going to phase out the A310s. There may be some demand to sell the A310s or turn them into freighters, but at this stage, that has not been decided yet,’ he said.