AEGEAN has placed an order for four new Airbus A321neo aircraft, and plans to create a “special purpose” sub fleet serving longer-range non-EU destinations.
The aircraft – which will be delivered in 2026 and 2027 – will be fitted with additional fuel tanks and will be capable of operating flights up to 7.5 hours in length.
They will also offer a lower seat count than the carrier’s existing A321neos, down from 220 seats to fewer than 180.
Features will include wifi connectivity, IFE screen at every seat, and “a premium lie-flat seat Business Class product”.
AEGEAN said the aircraft would be used on routes between four and 7.5 hours in duration, mostly to the south and southeast of Greece.
The airline highlighted potential new routes including Bahrain, Doha and Oman in the Gulf region, Lagos, Addis Ababa and Nairobi in Central Africa, Delhi and Mumbai in India, and Almati in Kazakhstan.
AEGEAN said that “These non-EU destinations due to the longer flight duration and market characteristics are typically served to/from European capitals by carriers using aircraft invariably with higher comfort and lower seat density than the typical intra-European cabin configuration”.
The new extended range aircraft will add to the carrier’s existing fleet of 12 standard A321neos (with another 13 on order). AEGEAN also operates the A320neo, as well as A320 and A321 aircraft.
Commenting on the news AEGEAN’s CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis said:
“We believe in the great opportunity for AEGEAN and for our country that lies in developing markets beyond the EU, either in the Gulf area, Africa or in regions of Asia which could be served with a special, extended range, version of the A321neo given our location in the southeast edge of Europe.
“We further recognize the necessity of a cabin with a significantly higher comfort and experience features to effectively represent AEGEAN’s service values, for our passengers in these markets.
“We are making a significant investment in the extended range and a totally new level of comfort for an initial four aircraft sub-fleet to give our crews the right tool to best represent AEGEAN values for these longer flight markets.
“It’s one more big step towards growing our reach and capabilities and we look forward to welcoming our passengers from these markets to this new level of experience with us in the years to come”.
The airline recently launched new uniforms for its captains, cabin crew and ground staff, partnering with lifestyle brand Zeus+Δione, under the creative direction of Greek-Austrian fashion designer Marios Schwab.
