Singapore Airlines’ budget unit Scoot is to take delivery of 16 new Airbus A321neos in the last quarter of 2020.

These will be the budget carrier’s first A321s. Six of the aircraft are being supplied direct from the manufacturer, after Scoot converted on-order A320neos to the larger variant, while 10 will be leased.

Pratt & Whitney engines will power the jets, to be fitted with with 236 seats. The A320neo, which forms the bulk of Scoot’s fleet, has 180 seats.

The A321neos will be deployed to medium-haul markets, on routes within 6h flying time. Scoot says the addition of the aircraft will help it meet targets for double-digit growth by the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2021.

Chief executive Lee Lik Hsin states: “The A321neos will inject growth possibilities to our network plans for 2020 and beyond.”

Scoot expects 12% fuel savings compared with the A320neo and 20% versus the A320ceo, by virtue of the A321neos’ enhanced winglets and fuel-efficient engines.

Each A321neo will have 50% less noise footprint and nitrogen-oxide emissions, and release 5,000t less carbon dioxide per annum, adds the airline.

“With the A321neo, Scoot will be able to operate its single aisle flights with unmatched levels of efficiency, benefiting from the highest commonality of the Airbus product range,” it says.

“This includes shared resources in spares, tools, similar maintenance engineering, pilots and cabin crew.”

Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows that Scoot is currently operating one A319, 28 A320s and 18 Boeing 787s, and has 37 A320s and two 787s on order.

Source: Cirium Dashboard