Viva Aerobus signs MoU for 90 Airbus A321neo selecting Pratt & Whitney GTF engines

Viva Aerobus has signed a MoU for 90 A321neo aircraft to drive its international and domestic growth. This MoU would bring the airline's order book to 170 A320 Family aircraft.Viva Aerobus has selected GTF engines to power additional 90 Airbus A321neo firm aircraft orders, the first of which is expected to be delivered in 2027. Having previously ordered 65 GTF-powered A320neo family aircraft, the airline has now committed to 155 aircraft with GTF engines. Pratt & Whitney and Viva Aerobus have also extended their EngineWise Maintenance long-term agreement to cover the maintenance needs of the entire GTF-powered fleet.  

Juan Carlos Zuazua, Chief Executive Officer of Viva Aerobus, commented: “These 90 A321neo 240-seater aircraft will allow us to grow and renew our fleet and remain the youngest in Latin America. The technology and operational efficiency of the A321neos will improve our operational reliability, on-time performance, and provide an unmatched passenger experience. Additionally, we expect to drive further cost-savings which will reflect in lower airfares and strengthen one of our most important advantages: having the lowest cost in the Americas. The fuel-efficiency and noise reduction that the A321neo provides will advance our sustainability efforts by delivering immediate, tangible carbon emission reductions, thus enhancing our position as the most efficient airline in the continent. Our commitment to The Future is Green, our environmental culture, has led us down the path of innovation and state of the art technology. This GTF engine agreement with Pratt & Whitney is an important step towards further reducing our environmental footprint. ” 

Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, said: “The Mexican leisure market is in full recovery mode and Viva Aerobus is at the centre of the action! The unbeatable economics of the A321neo make it the perfect choice for the airline's ultra-low cost model. We are pleased to have been a partner with the airline since 2013 and look forward to working together as it continues on its growth trajectory."

Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, stated: "We have a long history with Viva Aerobus, starting with their V2500-powered A320ceos in 2014. With GTF engines delivering world-class fuel efficiency, we are pleased that Viva Aerobus continues to depend on us as they grow their airline with the most sustainable engines for single-aisle aircraft."

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 percent noise reduction and more than 20 percent fuel savings compared to previous single-aisle generation aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort with the widest single-aisle cabin and large overhead stowage space.

Viva Aerobus has based its fleet renewal strategy on the A320 Family. In 2013, the airline placed an order for 52 A320 Family aircraft, the largest Airbus aircraft order placed by a single airline in Mexico at the time. In 2018, Viva Aerobus ordered 25 A321neo aircraft. To date, Viva Aerobus operates 74 A320 Family aircraft.