MONTREAL — Air Transat has signed a long-term lease of seven new Airbus aircraft set for delivery between 2020 and 2022.

The agreement with AerCap will bring two A321neos and five A321-new LRs (long-range) to the airline’s fleet, replacing wide-body A330s whose leases will expire during this period. With 199 seats in a two-class configuration, the A321neo will be used for feeder flights and service to the South (short- and medium-haul), while the A321neo LR will be deployed for Sun and transatlantic destinations (medium- and long-haul).

The fuel efficiency of this type of aircraft will keep cost per seat as low as possible, while at the same time reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, because of the cockpit commonality of the A330 and A320 (including the A321), Air Transat’s pilots will be able to fly both types of aircraft, which will result in greater operating flexibility and savings.

“We are continuing our fleet transformation in order to achieve greater efficiency and versatility,” said Jean-François Lemay, President of Air Transat. “With their smaller size, the A321neos will enable us to implement our air strategy, which involves increasing our flight frequencies, expanding our network and strengthening our position in several markets.”

These next-generation, single-aisle jets will be added to the 10 new A321neo LRs, on lease from AerCap, announced in July 2017, which will gradually be introduced to Air Transat’s fleet starting in spring 2019.

Air Transat’s fleet currently consists of 33 permanent aircraft. By 2024, it will have an all-Airbus fleet.