Athens-based airline Sky Express has placed a firm order for four A320neo aircraft, making it a new Airbus customer and marking a foray into jets after operating a pure turboprop fleet consisting of five ATR 72-500s and six ATR 42-500s. The Greek regional airline also recently leased two A320neos from ACG Aviation Capital Group and on that occasion joined the global list of 430 Airbus operators. Sky Express has chosen CFM-International’s Leap-1A turbofans to power its aircraft.
Although by the end of September Airbus had reported net orders for 300 jets, most have come from lessors. The deal with Sky Express marks Airbus’s first commercial aircraft order with an individual airline since Spirit Airlines of the U.S. signed for 100 A320neo-family jets on January 10.
“Our cooperation with Airbus, through the acquisition of six brand new Α320neo aircraft, meets our ambition to modernize our fleet and have our company transition to a new era,” said Sky Express owner and head of IOGR Group Ioannis Grylos in a statement. “The combination of the most advanced technology along with the fuel efficiency that this type of aircraft offers are elements that perfectly match the business planning of SKY express for a contemporary fleet that respects the environment and offers safe and quality services to its passengers.”