South Korean carrier Korean Air will sign a deal worth $13.7 billion with Airbus to buy 33 A350 series aircraft to boost its long-term operations, the company said, AFP reported.
The move comes after the European Union approved the airline's takeover of smaller rival Asiana - subject to the firm fulfilling commitments to allay competition concerns - which will boost its fleet to more than 200 aircraft.
"The purchase of the next-generation A350 eco-friendly aircraft is not only in line with the airline's sustainability efforts but is also seen as preparation for the integration of Asiana Airlines," Korean Air said in a statement.
The deal includes the purchase of 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s, Korean Air said.
The A350-1000s are the largest in the A350 fleet and can operate "up to 16,000 km with a full payload of up to 410 passengers. The aircraft uses advanced composite materials, resulting in a reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions by up to 25%," the airline added.
The smaller version of the A350-900 can carry around 300-350 passengers in a three-class configuration, the company said, and can be used on long-haul routes with a range of 15,370km.
In the past, Korean Air has preferred planes from Airbus rival Boeing, but the U.S. manufacturer has been plagued by a number of safety issues, including a near-catastrophic incident in January when a fuselage panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 broke off in flight.
However, Korean Air said it plans to introduce "50 more Airbus A321neos, 10 Boeing 787-9s, 20 Boeing 787-10s and 30 Boeing 737-8s".
The purchases are part of the airline's plans to "prioritize fleet modernization and carbon reduction" through newer aircraft.
Asiana's takeover is currently awaiting final approval from US antitrust authorities after receiving approval from 13 states and regions. / BGNES
