Synergy Aerospace Corporation, largest shareholder of Colombia-based Avianca and owner of Avianca Brazil, has finalised a purchase agreement with Airbus for 62 A320neo family aircraft.

These A320neo will be the base of the fleet renewal and network growth strategy for Avianca Brazil, and also mark over 1,000 Airbus aircraft sold in Latin America.

“These A320neo will allow Avianca Brazil to take an important leap toward growing and modernizing its fleet in a profitable and sustainable manner, while improving passenger experience,” said Alex Bialer, chairman of the board, Synergy Group.

“Thanks to its excellent eco-efficiency, reliability and comfort the A320neo family will allow us to strengthen our position in South America by offering passengers the best single-aisle product available.”

Synergy became an Airbus customer in 2007 with its order for ten A350 XWBs.

It also has ordered 20 A320 family aircraft, six A330-200 passenger and one A330-200 Freighter.

Today, Avianca Brazil operates 40 A320 Family aircraft and one A330 Freighter.

Growing at a favourable rate of 5.3 per cent annually, intra-regional and domestic traffic in Latin America is expected to almost triple in the next 20 years.

The single-aisle aircraft is Latin America’s linchpin, and the A320neo will play a key role in securing this future market.

“Airbus is pleased to be surpassing 1,000 aircraft sold in Latin America with this order by Synergy, and we are proud that Avianca Brazil will rely on the unmatched productivity and fuel efficiency of the A320neo Family to renew its fleet and expand its network in South America,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, customers.

“Domestic traffic in Brazil is projected to nearly triple by 2034, placing it among the world’s top 10 fastest-growing traffic flows in the world.

“These A320neo will allow Avianca Brazil to capitalize on this growth and deliver enhanced performance capabilities in challenging airports such as Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont.”

With over 1,000 aircraft sold and a backlog of more than 450, over 600 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the past ten years Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, securing over 60 per cent of orders in the region since 1990.

The A320neo has become the undisputed aircraft family of choice for Latin America, now with 410 firm orders, plus 58 commitments with lessors, from seven customers winning nearly 70 per cent of orders in the new generation single-aisle aircraft market.