IAG confirms Airbus order

European airline operator IAG has confirmed an order for eight new Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

The company, which operates British Airways and Iberia, had previously had purchase options for the new wide-body jets, and has now confirmed the deal.

The new aircraft will be delivered to Spain’s flag carrier Iberia, which will become a new operator of the A330-200. The twin-aisle jets will be delivered from the end 2015, joining Iberia’s all-Airbus fleet that already includes eight A330-300s.

“We are just delighted that Iberia has reconfirmed its confidence in the A330, and are extremely pleased to welcome them as a new operator of the A330-200 benefiting from the enhanced performance that the new 242-tonne version brings, while continuing to deliver the family synergies of an all Airbus fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ chief operating officer for customers.

Iberia currently operates 13 Airbus A319s, 12 A320s, 18 A321s, eight A330-300s, eight A340-300s and 17 A340-600. It also has outstanding orders for eight A350-900 aircraft, which will replace the airline’s A340s.