Transaero and ICBC Leasing (Chinese leasing company) have signed an agreement for delivery of six Airbus A321 aircraft, the carrier’s press-service reports.

“The jets are to be delivered between July 2015 and March 2016. The aircraft will be delivered under a long-term operating lease agreement. The aircraft will be delivered to the carrier directly from the manufacturer’s facility. The jets’ configuration has already been defined. The aircraft will feature a three-class cabin layout seating 170 passengers (Imperial class – 4 seats, business class – 8 seats and economy class – 158 seats). The jet’s cabin will meet the highest standards in terms of comfort, for example, the seat pitch in the economy class will be 33 inches”, - the airline noted.

In the network of Transaero Connect program the carrier’s A321s will be fitted with a system providing in-flight Internet access and mobile services. The aircraft will also be fitted with Sharklet wing-tip devices.

“The purchase of A321 aircraft is another important milestone in the network of Transaero’s aircraft fleet expansion and renewal program. Transaero has high expectations for these aircraft. At present the carrier is negotiating with a large leasing company on delivery of eight more jets of the type after March 2016. In total the airline plans to take delivery of 30 A321 aircraft over the next five years”, - the press-service added.

We remind you that the deliveries of the world’s largest commercial aircraft Airbus A380 to Transaero will be started in 2015. Moreover, the carrier will take delivery of its first A320neo jet in late 2017 or early 2018. Transaero is the launch customer for these types of aircraft in Russia and Eastern Europe. The airline will prepare all the required facilities for training of pilots and maintenance personnel in order to provide MRO services for its new Airbus aircraft. At the same time, in accordance with the previously signed contracts, the deliveries of new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental and Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Transaero will be started in 2015. The combination of the abovementioned aircraft will assure a sustainable and efficient development of Transaero’s fleet.

Today, Transaero operates 98 aircraft: 20 Boeing 747s, 14 Boeing 777s, 14 Boeing 767s, 45 Boeing 737s, 3 Тu-214s, 2 Тu-204-100Сs. The carrier has the largest fleet of long-haul wide-body aircraft in Russia, CIS Region and Eastern Europe, Transaero added.