Rumoured Airbus A330neo Order Rejected

A rumoured deal for the Airbus A330neo from Condor has been quickly knocked back following speculation as the Farnborough Airshow approaches.

Instead, the German leisure brand, whose name was attached to a prospective deal with reputable, large news publications, has knocked back the deal, saying talks are not underway beyond the commitments it already has.

Condor’s Reported Interest In The A330neo

Ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, Reuters and Bloomberg reported that Airbus was in the process of closing in on two deals for its mid-sized and popular A330neo with eight aircraft for flynas and roughly half a dozen for Condor.

The condor component of the deal was, however, labelled as not set in stone but in the works, with the deal expected to be an incremental top-up of the existing A330-900 fleet, which has grown significantly in recent years.

The fleet, currently at 18, is expected to jump to 21 by the end of 2027, thanks to the delivery of three more aircraft. However, a new contract would naturally affect future reliance on the Airbus widebody in an era when efficiency and commonality are paying dividends.

Industry sources suggest the latest A330neo fleet deal would bring close to two dozen jets of the type to Condor’s fleet and help cement the jet’s role as the backbone of long-haul flying. These reports, alongside the knowledge that the German leisure airline has been wanting to consolidate its operations, suggest that it is.

The A330neos have not only brought a fresh feel to the airline and lowered costs astronomically, but also enabled the retirement of the Boeing 767-300ERs. These workhorses for the business weren’t getting any younger, and amid rising fuel prices and maintenance costs, they needed to be retired to allow for a concentrated effort.

Possibly committing to more A330neos would have given the airline extra capacity not just for higher frequencies to some of its key leisure destinations, but also to open the door to new city pairings as demand shifts.

Condor Turns Down The Rumours

Condor, however, has just 24 hours after the deal was first aired, rejected the claims and denied that anything is in the works. A spokesperson speaking with German and international media stated, “There are no negotiations underway regarding an order.”

The spokesperson pointed directly to the order for four additional A330-900s placed in July 2025, a deal consisting of a small number but important for renewal and growth.

Condor holds options for additional A330neo aircraft, giving it the flexibility to act if it sees fit, but no decision has been made yet. The airline has grown its fleet of A330neos from initial modernization plans, thanks to leases and scheduled Airbus deliveries.