Aer Lingus is experiencing delays in the delivery of new Airbus single-aisle long-range aircraft intended for expanding routes to the eastern US.
The airline successfully took delivery of its first two A321 XLR aircraft in late 2024, with plans to launch new routes to Nashville and Indianapolis in summer 2025.
Aer Lingus expects to receive the next two aircraft this summer, with a commitment to utilise an A330-200 in the meantime, reflecting flexibility in its operational fleet.
These delays from major manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, are presenting challenges to the expansion strategies of airlines like Aer Lingus and Ryanair.
Lynne Embleton CEO of Aer Lingus shared “these aircraft are now in service and they are enabling new routes to Nashville and Indianapolis starting in summer 2025. We are expecting to receive the next two aircraft this summer, with the remaining aircraft to arrive thereafter, but as always with fleet deliveries exact timings are confirmed by the aircraft manufacturer nearer the time. Using the flexibility in its fleet, Aer Lingus will also operate an A330-200 aircraft this summer,”
