- The new aircraft comprise 21 Airbus A330-900neo and 32 Boeing 787-10 jets
British Airways’ parent company has ordered 53 new aircraft to meet demand after profits almost trebled at the start of 2025.
International Airlines Group (IAG) said the new airplanes for its medium-term long-haul fleet comprise 21 Airbus A330-900neo and 32 Boeing 787-10 jets.
The Airbus aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines and flown by IAG’s Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL brands, while the Boeing planes will be for British Airways and use General Electric engines.
IAG said about one-third of the 53 aircraft are for growth in its core markets – the North Atlantic, Latin America and intra-Europe.
The airplanes are due for delivery between 2028 and 2033, although IAG did not mention on Friday how much it paid for them.
US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Thursday that an unnamed British airline had agreed to purchase $10billion of Boeing planes as part of a new UK-US trade deal.
New delivery: British Airways’ parent company, IAG, has ordered 53 new aircraft
Luis Gallego, chief executive of IAG, said: ‘Looking ahead to the next decade, these new aircraft will enable us to strengthen our core markets and further improve our customer experience, while continuing to drive long-term value for our shareholders.’
The British-Spanish business further revealed its operating profit nearly tripled to €198million in the three months ending March, compared to €68million over the same period last year and analyst estimates of €158million.
Earnings benefited from lower fuel prices and total turnover expanding by 9.6 per cent to more than €7billion.
Passenger revenue increased by 6.5 per cent to €6billion, helped by bumper leisure demand, higher capacity, and a €143 million foreign exchange boost.
Trading was somewhat impacted by the Easter weekend occurring in April, having fallen in late March last year.
Turnover was additionally boosted by third-party revenues from Iberia’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul business and increased sales at BA’s package holidays arm.
IAG noted demand has stayed strong since then, with revenue ahead of 2025 levels and around 80 per cent of bookings in the second quarter taken.
Gallego told investors: ‘We continue to see resilient demand for air travel across all our markets, particularly in the premium cabins and despite the macroeconomic uncertainty.’
Mark Crouch, market analyst for eToro, said: ‘As the summer holiday season approaches, typically IAG’s busiest period, earnings are likely to be further boosted.
‘The key question now is whether IAG can continue to navigate geopolitical headwinds and stay on its current flight path of cash generation and sustainable growth.’
IAG shares were 1.1 per cent higher at 293.5p on Friday morning and have risen by around 58 per cent over the past year.
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Read More: British Airways owner orders 53 new planes as profits treble