Airbus Updates No.944

Lufthansa Supervisory Board gives go-ahead for major Airbus order

• 100 A320 Family aircraft and two additional A380s

• Third A380 order from the German flag carrier

14 March 2013Press Release

The Lufthansa’s Supervisory Board has approved the acquisition of 100 A320 Family aircraft (35 A320neo, 35 A321neo and 30 A320ceo with Sharklets) and two A380s worth approximately US$ 11.2 billion at list prices. The engine choices will be announced by the airline at a later date.

This latest acquisition reconfirms the Lufthansa Group as Airbus’ largest airline customer, with a total of 532 aircraft ordered. Today the Lufthansa Group is also Airbus’ biggest operator worldwide with 385 Airbus aircraft currently in service. These include: 271 A320 Family, 41 A330s, 63 A340s, and 10 A380s.

‘’The A380 fulfills all our expectations, it’s a very reliable aircraft and our passengers’ feedback is excellent,” said Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management. “We are delighted to add again two more A380s to our fleet and together with the 100 new A320 Family aircraft these new jets will contribute to cutting our operational costs significantly while reducing our environmental footprint and offering our passengers a benchmark travel comfort thanks to the widest cabins in their respective fleet category.”

“We thank Lufthansa for their continuing strong confidence in our market leading aircraft,“ said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “This third A380 order is a clear sign that the aircraft is working well for our prestigious customer Lufthansa. I am equally pleased, that with this order we are getting close to 2,000 NEO orders in just over two years, proving this jet is clearly the single aisle aircraft of choice.”

The A320neo and A320ceo Family aircraft will be used for Lufthansa Groups’ network development and fleet modernisation. While the CEO with Sharklets will deliver a four per cent fuel burn reduction, the NEO will contribute to cutting Lufthansa’s fuel burn by another 15 per cent. On top the A380 demonstrates a 12 per cent fuel burn reduction compared to its nearest competitor.

Over 36 million passengers have already enjoyed the unique experience of flying on board one of the 1oo A380 delivered so far. With 140 flights per day to date, the entire fleet has accumulated by now 100,000 revenue flights and 850,000 flight hours.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. Today more than 9,150 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,450 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus Updates No.746

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES LEASES SEVEN A320 AIRCRAFT

    

Austrian Airlines (OS) has signed a letter of intent to lease five of seven planned 168-seat Airbus A320s scheduled for delivery through early 2013. Two A320s are in Vienna and will undergo transit checks to begin operations in mid-October. OS operates 22 A320 family aircraft.
OS will phase out its last seven Boeing 737-800s by March 2013. Four 737s are already sold and 31 former 737 pilots are undergoing type-rating for the A320 family fleet.

Airbus Updates No.740

China Aircraft Leasing Company commits to 36 A320 Family aircraft

Operators can select Airbus’ new fuel saving Sharklets

11 July 2012Press Release

China Aircraft Leasing Company (CALC), the fast growing Hong Kong based aircraft leasing company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow for 36 current generation A320 Family aircraft. The deal includes eight A321s, the largest member of the A320 Family and operators will be able to select Airbus’ new fuel saving Sharklets.

“This is an important milestone for CALC,” said Dr. Mike Poon, CEO of CALC. “We have a long-term commitment to the aviation industry and are very pleased to establish a relationship with Airbus. This sizeable aircraft order will lay the foundation for CALC to achieve our ambition to become a major aircraft lessor in the region.”

“We are delighted to welcome CALC as our newest Airbus and A320 Family customer. We’re equally happy that they have chosen the industry’s favourite single-aisle aircraft to position themselves at the forefront of the fast growing Chinese market,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “It’s no secret that if the A320 Family is the cornerstone of airline fleets around the world, it’s because they get an unbeatable return on their investment thanks to the A320 Family’s outstanding reliability and low operating costs.”

CALC currently owns a portfolio of 11 Airbus aircraft including five A320s, five A321s and one A330. It also has three A330s and five A320s aircraft in its delivery pipeline. With this new commitment, CALC’s Airbus fleet will grow to over 50.

Sharklets are new large wingtip devices measuring 2.5 metres tall which reduce fuel burn by around 3.5 percent over longer sectors. This corresponds to an annual CO2 reduction of some 1000 tonnes per aircraft. Offered as an option for new-build A320 Family aircraft deliveries from end 2012, Sharklets also increase the A320 Family’s payload-range and improve take-off performance.

As of today, more than 8,500 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 5,100 delivered to over 365 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft.