IAG orders two Airbus A330 for Aer Lingus

The aircraft will be delivered in 2017 and will facilitate expansion on Aer Lingus' transatlantic network, IAG said.

“The modern, fuel efficient aircraft will bring both cost efficiencies and environmental benefits to the airline,” it added in a statement.

The company said it had negotiated a “substantial discount” to the A330-300 list price of $207m and would choose the “most appropriate” source of funding closer to delivery time.

IAG said it was targeting a sustainable 15% return on invested capital in real terms.