-
State-of-the-art, single-aisle
aircraft offers greater comfort
and range
- Projected fuel efficiency gain of up to
23%, yielding environmental
benefits
- Order drives corporate priorities to
elevate customer experience, expand network
and lower costs
MONTREAL, March 22, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today
announced it is acquiring 26 extra-long range (XLR) versions of the
Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft has sufficient range to serve
all North American and select transatlantic markets, while offering
customers added comfort and improving the carrier's fuel efficiency
to advance its environmental programs.
Deliveries are to begin in the first quarter of 2024 with the
final aircraft to arrive in the first quarter of 2027. Fifteen of
the aircraft will be leased from Air Lease Corporation, five will
be leased from AerCap and six are being acquired under a purchase
agreement with Airbus S.A.S. that includes purchase rights to
acquire an additional 14 of the aircraft between 2027 and 2030.
"Air Canada is committed to
further strengthen its market-leading position, especially through
investments in new technology. The acquisition of the
state-of-the-art Airbus A321XLR is an important element of this
strategy and will drive our core priorities of elevating the
customer experience, advancing our environmental goals, network
expansion and increasing our overall cost efficiency.
This order also shows that Air Canada is emerging strongly from the
pandemic and is ideally positioned to grow, compete and thrive in a
reshaped global aviation industry," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Air Canada.
Air Canada's A321XLRs will
accommodate 182 passengers in a configuration of 14 lie flat Air
Canada Signature Class seats and 168 Economy Class seats. Among the
aircraft's amenities, customers will enjoy next generation seatback
entertainment, access to inflight Wifi and a spacious cabin design
featuring generous overhead baggage storage bins. With a range of
approximately 8,700 kilometres and an ability to fly up to 11
hours, the A321XLR can operate non-stop anywhere across
North America and, pending
Transport Canada approval for overseas operations, also fly
transatlantic missions, bolstering the carrier's hubs and network.
Air Canada is in the process of
selecting an engine manufacturer for its A321XLR aircraft.
GHG reductions
The A321XLR will be used both for incremental growth of Air
Canada's fleet and to replace older, less-efficient aircraft
expected to exit the fleet. As a result, the new aircraft will
yield significant operational cost savings and environmental
benefits. Air Canada projects it
will have up to 17 per cent lower fuel burn per seat than the
previous generation narrow-body on a typical transcontinental
flight and a projected reduction of up to 23 per cent versus
previous generation wide-body aircraft on a transatlantic flight.
This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help Air Canada
fulfill its environmental commitments, which include the
achievement of net carbon neutrality by 2050. The A321XLR is also
expected to be quieter for passengers and airports than the
aircraft being replaced with the A321XLR.
As of December 31, 2021, Air
Canada had a combined 214 aircraft in its mainline and Air Canada
Rouge fleets, including 136 single-aisle, narrow-body aircraft.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Air Canada's public
communications may include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements may
involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to preliminary
results, guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or
future actions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are
based on assumptions, are subject to important risks and
uncertainties and cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other
things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the
business. Actual results may differ materially from results
indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors,
including the factors identified in this news release and in Air
Canada's public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent
Air Canada's expectations as of the date of this news release and
are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether because of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable
securities regulations.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international
airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of
Star Alliance, the world's most
comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network
carrier in North America to
receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm
Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best
Airline Staff in North America,
Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best
Business Class Lounge in North
America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of
COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best
Airline in North America for the
third straight year. In January 2021,
Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air
Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only
airline in Canada to attain the
highest APEX ranking. Air Canada
has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global
operations by 2050. For more information, please visit:
aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and
LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.
Internet: aircanada.com/media
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