Jet2, the UK’s third largest airline, has given aerospace giant Airbus’s Bristol plant a much-needed boost by placing an order for up to 60 of its A321neo aircraft.
Fast-growing Jet2, which recently began flights from Bristol Airport, currently operates a 90-strong fleet of aircraft entirely made up of planes made by Airbus’s rival Boeing. 
The US planemaker’s 737 has traditionally been the workhorse of the low-cost flight market, with Europe’s largest airline Ryanair opting for it over Airbus’s alternatives.
But recently Airbus’s A320neo (new engine option) family has made inroads into Boeing’s dominance and has been outselling its latest version of the 737, the MAX, by a wide margin.
In the second quarter of this year Airbus won 126 orders – all but seven of them for A320neo aircraft – including US carrier United Airlines’ order for 70 A321neos. The Jet2 deal includes 36 firm orders with the option to increase it to 60.
While the A320neo’s energy-efficient engines and innovative wingtips – designed by engineers at Airbus’s Bristol plant at Filton, pictured – cut fuel use by 15%, they also reduce noise and take-off and landing by around 50%.
Bristol Airport’s largest operator easyJet has a 17-strong fleet of aircraft based at the airport, including a number of 186-seat A320neos, which serves its 70-plus destinations.
Jet2’s aircraft will be configured for 232 seats with an airspace cabin featuring innovative lighting, new seating products and 60% larger overhead baggage bins for added personal storage.
Deliveries ae expected to take place between 2023 and 2028. 
Jet2.com executive chairman Philip Meeson said: “Jet2.com will be proud to operate the Airbus A321neo in the years ahead.
“This aircraft is, in our opinion, the most efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft in its class today.
“It will give our holiday customers a wonderfully comfortable and enjoyable experience as they travel with us for their well-deserved Jet2holiday.”
Airbus International chief commercial officer Christian Scherer added: “We very much welcome Jet2.com’s decision.
“Traditionally having been operating non fly-by-wire aircraft, we note with great satisfaction that after having tested a couple of leased A321s and run a comprehensive evaluation, Jet2.com is forward looking and investing in modern and future-proof Airbus fly-by-wire technology.
“This is a testimony to Jet2.com’s vision of efficiency, quality, performance and environmentally friendly flying.”
At the end of July 2021, the A320neo Family had won more than 7,400 firm orders from 120-plus customers worldwide.
Nearly 300 jobs were axed from the 4,500-strong workforce at Airbus’s Filton plant last year as the global aerospace industry was buffeted by the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on the aviation industry.
Airbus’s Filton employees are mainly engineers designing wings, landing gear and fuel systems for its commercial airliners. The Jet2 order will also benefit GKN Aerospace, which assembles wing parts for Airbus, including the A320neo family, on the same site at Filton.
Jet2 announced last November that it was making Bristol Airport its 10th base and would launch flights to 33 destinations.
While the launch was delayed due to on-going Covid travel restrictions, the airline is now operating from Bristol and, citing strong demand from customers and independent travel agents, has increased its flight schedule for winter 22/23.
