StarLux Airlines Signs MOU with Airbus|"星宇"後年開航 簽訂17架空巴購機意向書

The world's largest air show "The Farnborough Air Show", opened in the UK on July 16. During this show, New Taiwan airline StarLux Airlines was the focus of much media attention, as the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the purchase of 17 aircrafts at the show, with a total value of NT$183.3 billion.


StarLux Airlines Chairperson Chang Kuo-wei and Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Eric Schulz pose for a photo together after signing a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 17 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. The value of the deal is over US$6 billion, or NT$183.3 billion. The MOU was signed at the Farnborough Air Show, the world's largest air show, on July 16. Buying sentiment at this year's air show was dampened by the United Kingdom's Brexit negotiations impasse, the U.S.-China trade war and rising oil prices.

We saw a lot of that happening, driving order activity a couple of years ago, but again, the oil price right now is within the boundary where at least from our view it's not going to drive outsized influences on ordering activities.

Chinese and Indian airlines also placed orders at the air show, giving Airbus a much-needed boost. Airbus has approximately 15,000 employees in the United Kingdom. It said if the UK withdraws from the European Union next year without first reaching an agreement, its factories may stop production. UK Prime Minister Theresa May has already guaranteed that aerospace companies won't be affected by Brexit.

We're leaving the European Union, and forging a new future for our country. And as we do so, I want to ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world for aerospace companies to do business.

Earlier this year, StarLux Airlines announced it will lease 10 A321neo aircraft. Now, it intends to purchase 17 Airbus A350 XWB aircraft, which are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2024. This means its fleet will be comprised of 27 aircraft by 2024. The airline will begin hiring flight attendants and ground crew at the beginning of next year, and begin flying at the start of 2020.