MAJOR NEW EASYJET AIRCRAFT ORDER
MAJOR NEW EASYJET AIRCRAFT ORDER
easyJet Press Release 14/11/06
Posted with express permission of the easyJet Press Office
- EASYJET EXERCISES OPTIONS OVER 52 AIRBUS 319 AIRCRAFT
- SECURES OPTIONS OVER A FURTHER 75 A320 FAMILY AIRCRAFT
- 104 AIRCRAFT NOW ON FIRM ORDER WORTH OVER $4 BILLION
easyJet today announces that it has reached agreement with the European
aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, to exercise existing options ("Additional
Purchase Rights") over 52 Airbus A319 aircraft for delivery between 2008
and 2010 and to secure new options over a further 75 A320 family aircraft.
This will underpin easyJet's growth over the coming years and ensures that
the airline continues to operate some of the cleanest, quietest aircraft
available. It will also help to secure thousands of European manufacturing
jobs.
Today's announcement means that easyJet now has 104 aircraft on firm order
with Airbus, with a list price of over $4 billion, and holds purchase
rights over a further 123 aircraft. The total size of easyJet's order of
Airbus aircraft (including options), first announced in October 2002, is
315. Of these, 88 have already been delivered.
The exercise of the 52 options is subject to shareholder approval.
Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive, said:
"This major new aircraft order underpins our continuing rapid growth, which
has been driven by our winning combination of low fares with care and
convenience.
"This order supports both our growth and our environmental credentials.
The combination of our modern fleet, with an average age of 2.2 years, and
high utilisation means that we emit nearly 30% fewer emissions per
passenger kilometre than traditional airlines flying similar routes. We
welcome the Stern Review, which says that aviation accounts for just 1.6%
of greenhouse gas emissions, and we have long campaigned to bring aviation
into the European Emissions Trading System as soon as possible.
"easyJet's growth over the coming years and the scale of this order will
also support thousands of European jobs in aircraft manufacturing, tourism,
airports and the many other industries that aviation supports."
Under the agreement, dated 30 December 2002, and made between easyJet plc
and Airbus G.I.E. (the "Airbus Contract"), the Company agreed to purchase
120 new Airbus A319 aircraft and was granted the right to purchase, at the
same basic price, up to 120 additional Airbus A319 aircraft "Additional
Purchase Rights". The agreement was conditional upon shareholder approval
which was obtained at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 12 March 2003.
easyJet announced that it had exercised Additional Purchase Rights over 20
Airbus A319 aircraft on 22 December 2005.
easyJet today has exercised its right to acquire a further 52 A319 aircraft
under the Additional Purchase Rights granted to it pursuant to the Airbus
Contract. It has also agreed certain amendments to the Airbus Contract
including the grant of new Additional Purchase Rights over a further 75
A320 family aircraft; the release by easyJet of an undertaking given by
Airbus relating to the maintenance costs of the A319 and a number of
provisions which are of considerable economic benefit to easyJet. The
exercise of the 52 Additional Purchase Rights and the amendments to the
Airbus Contract are subject to shareholder approval and a circular setting
out details of the amendments to the Airbus Contract and containing a
notice convening an Extraordinary General Meeting will be despatched to
easyJet shareholders in due course.
The terms of purchase of these 52 aircraft, including the basic price,
certain purchase incentives and credits made available and the terms of
payment are substantially the same as those for the purchase of the first
120 aircraft under the Airbus Contract, which were described in the
circular to shareholders dated 24 February 2003 (the "Circular"). However,
in recognition of the exercise of the Additional Purchase Rights and the
release of the undertaking referred to above, Airbus has granted price
concessions under the agreement amending the Airbus Contract in relation to
these 52 aircraft and the other 68 aircraft subject to the Additional
Purchase Rights. As confirmed in the Circular, under the Airbus Contract
the aircraft basic price of each A319 aircraft, as at January 2001 being
the date by reference to which the contractual base price is quoted, was
approximately US$44.2 million. Thus the total list price for 52 new A319
aircraft would be approximately US$2.3 billion. However, under the Airbus
Contract (as to be amended) easyJet has been granted substantial price
concessions by Airbus and the selected engine manufacturer - all prices
above are subject to price escalation which reflects inflation.
Of the 240 A319 aircraft covered by the original Airbus Contract, 192 have
now been ordered of which 88 have been delivered with 32 scheduled for
delivery by the end of September 2008.
ENDS
There will be an analyst presentation to discuss our Preliminary results
for the financial year ended 30th September 2006 and the above announcement
at 9:00 am on 14 November 2006 at ABN AMRO, 3rd floor, 250 Bishopsgate,
EC2M 4AA. A live webcast of the presentation will be available at
www.easyJet.com.
There will be an analyst and investor conference call at 2:00 pm on 14
November 2006. For further details, contact Katy Balderston at Financial
Dynamics on 020 7269 7228.
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date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 08:06:41 -0000
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