AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines (J2, Baku Heydar Aliev International) has placed a firm order for twelve A320neo Family aircraft directly from the manufacturer. The commitment includes both A320-200Ns and A321-200Ns, albeit in an undisclosed split.

"We are pleased to continue mutually beneficial cooperation with Airbus on the modernisation programme of our fleet and intend to strengthen the bilateral partnership. The signed contract will provide our passengers with the most modern and comfortable single-aisle aircraft," First Vice-President Samir Rzayev said.

The carrier did not identify delivery dates and said the choice of engine manufacturer would be made at a later stage.

The new A320neo Family aircraft will join AZAL's existing fleet of three A320-200Ns picked up earlier this year from lessors. Two of them currently operate for the airline's low-cost division Buta Airways, while the third is in maintenance. The airline's previous-generation narrowbody fleet comprises three A319-100s and six A320-200s. AZAL's plan is to complete the rollover to A320neo Family aircraft by 2030.