Icelandic start-up Play signs preliminary deals on fleet expansion

Icelandic start-up carrier Play has signed letters of intent with two lessors covering six more Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Play launched services in June this year on European routes from Reykjavik using three A321neos and earlier this month filed for US regulatory authority to launch transatlantic flights next spring. In a first-half trading update today, Play says it agreed on letters of intent with two undisclosed “major international aircraft lessors” during August. One deal covers the delivery of two new A320neos, built in 2020, in the first quarter of next year. The other covers three A320neos and one A321neo for delivery in spring 2023. It says it is in final negotiations over the lease of a 10th aircraft. ”With these arrangements, Play is taking advantage of favourable terms in the current post-Covid market and will have six aircraft in its fleet in spring 2022 in time for the hub-and-spoke operation between North America and Europe,” the airline says. ”Negotiations for additions to the fleet for 2024 and 2025 are also ongoing, bringing the total fleet to 15 aircraft by 2025.”<br/>