Icelandic airline PLAY will receive two new Airbus A320neo aircraft in time for the low-cost carrier to start using Iceland as hub for services between Europe and North America.
The two new aircraft are from lessor China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) and will be delivered to Play “next week”, the new Icelandic carrier said in a statement on November 18, 2021.
“The aircraft will arrive in Iceland in March 2022 in time for the change to a hub-and-spoke business model,” PLAY stated, adding the aircraft will first be fitted and painted to its specifications.
PLAY intends to start services to the United States in spring 2022. It received preliminary permission from the US Department of Transport on October 11.
The plans mirror those of collapsed Icelandic airline WOW, which had used Reykjavik as hub to connect Europe and North America.
PLAY said the two A320neo were the ones it had previously signed a letter of intent for with an undisclosed lessor.
The Icelandic carrier has also signed a deal with lessor GECAS for three A320neo and one A321neo, which are due to be delivered between autumn 2022 and spring 2023.
“The A320 family has flexibility in size and range which allows PLAY to reach markets on both sides of the Atlantic with less fuel consumption and aircraft commonality creating a competitive advantage,” the airline noted.
PLAY, which currently operates three A321neo aircraft on lease from AerCap, added it was taking advantage of favorable terms in the leasing market at present.
