LUTON, UK — British low-cost operator easyJet has become the first airline to acquire aircraft originally ordered by the financially troubled and inactive Colombian low-cost carrier Viva Colombia. The company will soon receive two Airbus A320neos directly from the European planemaker. 


Both aircraft with registrations respectively G-UJEA (MSN 11230) and G-UJEB (MSN 11242), remain at Toulouse Blagnac in Viva's livery but have already completed their customer acceptance tests. They have been on the UK's G- register since March 29.

easyJet operates 32 Airbus A320neos under its British AOC, eight under easyJet Europe, and seven under easyJet Switzerland. Additionally, easyJet has 132 units on direct order from Airbus. The group's A320neo Family fleet also includes 15 Airbus A321-200neos, with 33 more on firm order.

Viva had a fleet of six Airbus A320-200s and ten Airbus A320neos when it suspended flight operations on February 27. The airline still hopes for a potential merger with Avianca Airlines to enable a restart. Despite a reduction in its future order book, Grupo Viva maintains sixteen A320-200Ns on firm order from Airbus.