Colombian-Salvadorean business consortium Avianca Taca Holding S.A. has signed an agreement with French airplane manufacturer Airbus for the acquisition of 51 A320 airplanes.
During the 49th international Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, Avianca sought the agreement with Airbus as part of its renovation process. The South American company controls Colombia’s Avianca airline, El Salvador’s Grupo Taca, and, following a merger that became effective in February 2010, subsidiary company Ecuador’s AeroGal.
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed today reinforces our promise to continue to provide clients with exceptional service with the most modern fleet in the region,” said Fabio Villegas, president and CEO of Avianca Taca Holding S.A.
The 51 airplane request is the greatest from a single company in the history of Airbus’ negotiations in Latin America, and will also include the largest order of a new generation of eco-efficient A320neo planes in the region.
Avianca Taca already ordered 33 A320neo planes, which will be ready in 2017, and are designed with ecologically efficient motors and specially designed aerodynamic wings which will reportedly permit 15% fuel savings, reducing CO2 emissions by 3,600 tons annually.