Tigerair Taiwan signs deal to buy four A321neos

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) Tigerair Taiwan, the only Taiwanese low-cost carrier, has signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase four A321neos, the European plane maker said Wednesday.

In a statement, Airbus said the purchase agreement marked the first time the Taiwanese carrier has ordered A321neo aircraft to expand its fleet.

Tigerair Taiwan currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 17 aircraft, comprising nine A320ceos and eight A320neos. Airbus said the carrier will benefit from greater commonality across the A320 family, reducing training, maintenance, and operating costs.

Earlier Wednesday, Tigerair Taiwan said its Chairwoman Huang Shih-hui (黃世惠) traveled to Singapore to attend the Singapore Airshow, where the carrier was scheduled to sign a purchase agreement with Airbus.

"The purchase of A321neo aircraft is a cornerstone of our 'third-generation' fleet expansion, designed to maximize operational efficiency as we scale for regional dominance," Huang said in the Airbus statement.

"Configured with 232 seats, the A321neo allows us to increase capacity on our high-demand 'golden routes' and accelerate network expansion," Huang said.

Echoing Huang, Airbus said the A321neo is the largest member of the aircraft maker's best-selling A320neo family, offering segment-leading operating economics and extended range to enable airlines to serve regional and medium-haul routes with greater flexibility.

According to Airbus, the A321neo consumes at least 20 percent less fuel and creates 20 percent fewer CO2 emissions than the earlier generation of aircraft.

Tigerair Taiwan, a subsidiary of a leading Taiwanese international carrier, China Airlines, has announced that its fleet introduction plan aims to expand its next-generation fleet to 30 aircraft by 2033, improving fuel efficiency and supporting its carbon-reduction goals.