Turkey’s Pegasus Air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, with 42 more of the aircraft set to follow.
The delivery has been a long time coming for Pegasus Air who first ordered the aircraft back in 2012 as part of a 100-aircraft deal, which included 57 A320neo’s and 18 A321neo’s on firm order plus 25 options.
On December 21, 2017, the airline converted the 25 options into firm orders for the A321neo.
The arrival of the first three A321neo’s was originally scheduled for 2018, with 11 to follow in 2019, none in 2020, five in 2021, seven in 2022, and 10 in both subsequent years.
The plan was shelved as Pegasus itself wished to defer deliveries, while Airbus has been struggling to meet its A321neo-rate.
At first, engine issues with both the Pratt & Whitney GTF and CFM LEAP were to blame but the complexities of the ACF-cabin and other production issues have caused delays that Airbus is still trying to get to grips with.
Commenting on the delays, Pegasus president and CEO Mehmet Nane, said: “Delays are normal because there is a huge demand for the A321neo’s. The cost per seat is the best in the world at the moment. There is a delay of five to seven months, but we will begin to receive them now”.
A second aircraft is due for delivery before the end of the year.
The A321neo is part of Pegasus fleet transition-plan, one of the biggest in the airline industry.
The airline has 12 Airbus A320ceos on operational lease. The A320neo-fleet has grown to 31 with 27 on financial lease and four on operational lease, with 26 still yet to come.