Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of 16 long-range, single-aisle A321neo aeroplanes between 2017 and 2020, with an option to acquire and additional nine aircraft.

The value of the deal, when all purchase rights are exercised, is approximately $2.8bn based on list prices.

The new aircraft will complement Hawaiian Airlines’ existing fleet of wide-body, twin-aisle jets that currently serves long-haul routes between Hawaii and the US West Coast.

Hawaiian Airlines president and chief executive officer Mark Dunkerley said that the A321neo would be the most fuel-efficient aircraft of its type after its introduction in 2016.

"With its slightly smaller size, we’ll be able to open new markets that are not viable for wide-body service, while also being able to augment service on existing routes to the west coast of North America," Dunkerley said.

"With its slightly smaller size, we’ll be able to open new markets that are not viable for wide-body service, while also being able to augment service on existing routes to the west coast of North America."

Featuring a two-class layout, the 146ft-long A321neo will accommodate up to 190 passengers in first class and coach and has a range of 3,65nm.

A321neo is the largest variant in the A320neo line and offers 15% fuel savings and a double digit reduction in NOx emissions, according to Airbus.

The new acquisitions are subject to signing of new agreements between Hawaiian Airlines and its pilots, flight attendant unions covering operation of the new airplane variant.

If the new agreements are signed, the fleet expansion is expected to create 1,000 additional jobs at Hawaiian Airlines.

Currently, Hawaiian Airlines operates a fleet of 43 airliners including 25 wide-body, long-haul airplanes such as A330-200 and Boeing 767-300ERs and 18 Boeing 717-200 jets.

The existing fleet of 16 Boeing 767s will be phased out over the next decade.

Hawaiian’s existing firm orders include an additional 13 A330s between 2013 and 2015, and six longer-range A350XWB-800s, scheduled to enter service in 2017.

Image: The new A321neo airplanes will complement Hawaiian Airlines’ existing fleet of wide-body, twin-aisle jets. Photo: courtesy of PRNewsFoto/Hawaiian Airlines.