FLYONE Armenia to add two A321neos to its fleet with first Airbus order

Armenian carrier FLYONE Armenia has finalised its first direct aircraft order with Airbus for two A321neos.

The agreement, confirmed on 30 September, formalises a memorandum of understanding announced in May during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Yerevan.

The aircraft will be powered by CFM International LEAP engines and configured with 239 seats in an all-economy layout, giving the airline additional capacity for its network from Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) in Yerevan. 

FLYONE Armenia orders two A321neo aircraft

The deal – the airline’s first with Airbus – is a significant moment for the relatively young carrier, which was only established in 2021 and currently operates nine second-hand aircraft from the Airbus A320 family.

Chief executive Aram Khachatryan described the agreement as an “important and symbolic milestone” in the carrier’s development.

Khachatryan said the new aircraft would support fleet modernisation and the airline’s longer-term growth plans.

A321neo adds capacity to the carrier’s fleet

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’s A320neo family and is designed to provide increased passenger capacity and range versus the smaller members of the single-aisle series.

FLYONE Armenia, which describes itself as the first national airline of Armenia, currently operates seven Airbus A320-200s and two of the Airbus A321-200 ceo variants. The latter is configured with 220 seats. 

With 239 seats, FLYONE Armenia’s A321neo configuration will be geared towards high-density operations. 

The additional capacity could support growth on existing routes or allow the airline to introduce services where demand can sustain larger aircraft, although it has not disclosed where the incoming aircraft will be used.

The order also gives FLYONE Armenia access to the A321neo’s newer-generation engine technology.

Airbus says the A320neo family delivers at least 20% lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous-generation single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus strengthens presence in Armenia

The agreement adds FLYONE Armenia to Airbus’s list of direct customers for the A320 family, which has accumulated more than 20,000 orders worldwide.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus executive vice-president of sales for its commercial aircraft business, said the order reflected the airline’s plans to expand its A320-family fleet and improve its operational performance.

“This first direct order from FLYONE Armenia underscores the airline’s commitment for operational excellence and enhanced passenger comfort as it continues to expand its A320 Family fleet,” he said. 

“We are very happy to welcome FLYONE as a new member of the Airbus family and we look forward to a deep and fruitful collaboration together to support their strategic growth plans.”

Growing its network from Yerevan

FLYONE Armenia, which counts Moldovan airline FLYONE and Armenian private investors among its shareholders, operates to 26 destinations through scheduled and charter flights. 

While the war in Ukraine has impacted its ability to fly within the region, including to its wartorn neighbour, the carrier still has its sights set on expansion. Recent route launches include Yerevan to Almaty and Gyumri to Sochi.