Bristol’s aerospace industry has received an order boost from easyJet as the low-cost airline continues to grow its services from Bristol Airport.
The airline has signed a firm order for a further 36 aircraft from Airbus’s A320 family – taking its total orders for the type to 451.
Wings for A320 aircraft are designed by Airbus engineers at its giant Filton base while wing sections are built by GKN on a neighbouring site. 
The agreement for six A320ceo (current engine option) and 30 A320neo (new engine option) came as easyJet posted strong financial results and also announced it will base a 13th aircraft at Bristol Airport next year.
The new Airbus order makes easyJet one of the world’s biggest airline customers for the A320ceo family with 321 ordered and also for the A320neo with 130 on order.
Earlier this year – its 20th in business – the airline took delivery of its 250th A320 aircraft. As with other recent deliveries to easyJet, the A320 is equipped with the latest technology and fuel-saving ‘sharklets’, which were devised at Filton.
EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall said: “Our mission is to make air travel easy and affordable and Airbus is a key partner in delivering this to our passengers.
“The A320neo with new seats will provide wonderful levels of comfort and space. It is also more fuel efficient – which will reduce emissions and provide lower costs per seat which will help keep fares low.
“The new quieter aircraft will reduce our impact on the communities who live near our airports. Our partnership with Airbus was built on the A320 Family and this will continue with the A320neo.”
Airbus chief operating officer, customers, John Leahy, added: “Airbus is proud to have partnered easyJet along the airline’s impressive achievements and growth. The airline is one of the biggest carriers in Europe with a large fleet to match. Not only is easyJet one of the biggest airline customers for the A320ceo but also the A320neo.
“This endorsement demonstrates easyJet’s commitment for operating the world’s most productive and efficient aircraft married with the best cabin comfort for its millions of loyal passengers.”
EasyJet flies on more than 750 routes to over 130 airports across 31 countries. It operates Europe’s largest and the world’s fourth largest Airbus single aisle fleet. Since easyJet took delivery of its first Airbus aircraft (an A319) in September 2003, Airbus has delivered an aircraft on average every 16 days to easyJet since the first delivery.
