Air Arabia is sticking with CFM LEAP-1As for its future fleet expansion in the coming years. The Sharjah-based low-cost airline has signed an agreement with CFM for 240 engines to power 120 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. CEO Adel Al Ali told AirInsight on Sunday that a decision was imminent, which was duly announced on Day 2 of the 2023 Dubai Airshow.
At the same event four years ago in 2019, Air Arabia placed the order. They include 73 A320neo’s, 27 A321neo’s, and 20 A321XLRs. The airline didn’t specify the engine choice at the time, something which is usually done some two years before deliveries start.
Active as a journalist since 1987, with a background in newspapers, magazines, and a regional news station, Richard has been covering commercial aviation on a freelance basis since late 2016.
Richard is contributing to AirInsight since December 2018. He also writes for Airliner World, Aviation News, Piloot & Vliegtuig, and Luchtvaartnieuws Magazine. Twitter: @rschuur_aero.