U.S. Airways, Airbus reach terms on 92-jet order

U.S. Airways, Airbus reach terms on 92-jet order US Airways said it has agreed to terms with Airbus S.A.S. for 60 single-aisle A320-family aircraft and 32 widebody aircraft, including the next generation A350 XWB.
   The A320-family planes would replace 60 older aircraft in the airline’s fleet, with deliveries beginning in 2010.
      The airline increased from 20 to 22 a previously announced order of A350 XWBs in both the 800 and larger 900 series configuration.
   The airline said this allows for modest international expansion or replacement of existing older technology aircraft should market conditions warrant.
   The airline expects to take delivery of the first A350-800 in 2014, becoming the North American launch customer for the fleet type, featuring Rolls Royce engines.
   The company also said it would purchase 10 A330-200 aircraft with deliveries starting in 2009 and flexibility to convert to A330-300 or longer range A340s.
   U.S. Airways said with the order “increased commonality in the US Airways fleet will be substantial. By 2012, more than 80 percent of the narrowbody fleet will be Airbus A320-family aircraft.”