UK-based travel company Thomas Cook has signed a contract with European plan manufacturer Airbus for 12 new A321 aircraft.

The order, which includes an option to buy further A320 aircraft from 2015, is scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Thomas Cook has said that the purchase will be financed through sale and leaseback agreements with third party lessors.

The new planes will have CFM56-5B engines designed by CFM International.

Airbus said the aircraft will be fitted with Sharklets – large wing-tip devices that save on fuel and increase the payload-range performance of the A320 series.

The order was part of Thomas Cook’s plan of fleet harmonisation.