CEO: SWISS considering Airbus A321neoLR for Africa routes

Swiss International Air Lines is considering ordering the Airbus A321neoLR to operate on routes from Zurich to long-haul destinations in Africa, SWISS CEO Thomas Klühr said. “It is an interesting option, especially on routes where a 300-seat widebody aircraft is difficult to fill. The A321neoLR offers very efficient operations,” Klühr said. Lufthansa Group subsidiary SWISS is slated to take delivery of 15 Airbus A320neo family aircraft in 2019 and 2020, but it does not have any A321neoLRs on order. The A321neoLR is expected to enter service in H2 2018. It is unclear whether SWISS could switch some of its A320neo family aircraft orders to the A321neoLR. Klühr said SWISS does have the option to switch A320neo/A321neo orders to A320ceo family orders if issues with the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engine that have caused A320neo delivery delays persist. “We hope the difficulties regarding the A320neo engines can be solved. It is our goal to have this aircraft. However, we have the option to switch the order from the A320/321neo to the A320/321ceo,” Klühr said.<br/>