Lebanon’s flag carrier Middle East Airlines-Air Liban (MEA) has placed a firm order with Airbus for five A321neo and five A320neo airliners.
The order for ten A320neo jets follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the UK’s Farnborough International Airshow on 12 July 2012.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
MEA stated that it would announce its plans to choose the engine to power its single-aisle A320neo and A321neo jetliners at a later date.
The carrier operates a fleet of four wide-bodied A330-200s, four A321s and ten A320 aeroplanes.
Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "We are convinced the NEO will deliver on its promises as the most fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft and look forward to seeing MEA taking full advantage of all the benefits this aircraft offers."
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By GlobalDataFeaturing large Sharklet wing-tip devices, the A320neo is scheduled to enter service in late 2015.
The A320neo will accommodate up to 180 passengers, while the A321neo will have 220 seats.
A321neo, the largest variant in the A320neo line, will offer maximum benefit with minimal changes from baseline A319s, A320s and A321s, as well as 15% fuel savings, and a double digit reduction in NOx emissions, according to Airbus.
Airbus has received more than 1,600 firm orders for its A320neo jets, since its inception in 2010.
To date, the European aircraft manufacturer has logged around 8,900 orders for the A320 family airliners, with 5,300 having been delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.
Image: Middle East Airlines-Air Liban’s firm order for ten A320neo family jets follows the signing of a MoU in July 2012. Photo: Airbus SAS / Fixion.
