Airbus Updates No.303

Garuda Indonesia signs MOU for 25 A320 Family aircraft

 

Garuda Indonesia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A320 Family aircraft, making the airline a new customer for the Airbus single aisle product line. The MOU covers 15 standard A320s followed by 10 A320neo aircraft for operation by the carrier's domestic low cost unit Citilink, replacing its existing 737 fleet. 

"The A320 will be a new addition to the Garuda family and has been selected after a very thorough and lengthy evaluation process," said Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO Garuda Indonesia. "The combination of comfort for passengers, proven reliability for high frequency services and low operating costs made the A320 the clear favourite to enable Citilink to develop its full potential in the competitive low cost market."

"This announcement marks a new milestone in our long relationship with Garuda Indonesia," said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. "The A320 will enable Citilink to develop profitably its share of the fast-growing Indonesian market, benefitting from the lowest operating costs available today - which are about to get even lower with the arrival of the A320neo."

Incorporating new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets, the A320 neo will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent and additional range capability of 500 nautical miles (950 kilometers), or the ability to carry two tonnes more payload at a given range. For the environment, the fuel savings translate into some 3,600 tonnes less CO₂ per aircraft per year. In addition, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95% airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets. The new engines types offered on the A320neo are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.