Aer Lingus could acquire between 17 and 37 new aircraft this year, with the exact figure dependent on whether it's new fleet is supplied by Boeing or Airbus, it said yesterday.
The national airline is currently in discussions with the two aircraft manufacturers as part of its efforts to operate a single fleet.
A spokesman would not disclose how much this could cost Aer Lingus but it is expected to yield substantial savings over the longer term.
It would be purchasing aircraft at a time when the big international carriers are struggling and cutting back the number of scheduled flights rather than expanding their businesses and where orders for new planes are thin on the ground. As a result, it would be looking to secure a large discount.
Aer Lingus currently operates Boeing, Airbus and BAE aircraft, which all require different maintenance regimes. Aircrew must also be trained to operate the various planes. A single fleet would radically reduce these costs.
The airline currently operates 17 Airbus A320 jets and, if it decided to place an order with Airbus, would end up purchasing or leasing a possible additional 10 aircraft. If it opted to use Boeing jets, then it would acquire 27 737-800s and could negotiate options to take another 10, the spokesman said.
"Any airlines which have recently purchased new aircraft have not disclosed what they paid but we are in a buyer's market" the spokesman said.
Aer Lingus is talking to both manufacturers to find out the parameters of the deal that could be possible.
It will then compile a detailed analysis of the prices and conditions being offered by Boeing and Airbus and will present these findings to the board of directors in September. Such an order could be worth about €1 billion, although the airline could end up paying less.
Aer Lingus would also be insisting that, under the terms of any new purchase agreement, the new supplier would help it to dispose of its existing fleet.
"It will be a complex deal but we are not close to that stage yet," according to the airline's spokesman.
Ryanair courted the two manufacturers when it was expanding its fleet and is reputed to have secured up to a 40 per cent discount from Boeing on the list price of its aircraft. The airline has never disclosed the price paid.
