SkyTeam alliance partner Delta Air Lines is ordering 15 Airbus A321s, to be delivered from 2018.

The US carrier is to fit CFM International CFM56s to the twin-engined aircraft, which will also be fitted with sharklet wing-tips, confirms Airbus.

Delta's decision follows a previous order for 30 A321s placed by the airline last year, when it also signed for a batch of Airbus A330-300s.

Airbus says the latest Delta A321s will be used to "offset jet retirements".

Delta already has 126 A320-family aircraft in its fleet, as well as 32 A330s. Vice-president for fleet strategy and transactions Nathaniel Pieper says the "opportunistic" deal will "enhance profitability, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value".

Source: Cirium Dashboard