Airbus updates No.1059

Sichuan Airlines takes delivery of its first A320 with Sharklets

Customer flies higher with eco-efficient Airbus aircraft

28 JUNE 2013 PRESS RELEASE

Sichuan Airlines, the largest all Airbus fleet operator in China, has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets, joining the rapidly increasing group of Airbus single-aisle aircraft operators benefiting from the latest fuel saving aerodynamic devices.

The A320, powered by IAE V2500 engines, features a comfortable two class cabin, seating 164 passengers with eight in business class and 156 in economy.

“As the first airline to introduce Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft in China, Sichuan Airlines has benefited from the low cost and highly reliable Airbus aircraft. Thanks to the commonality of Airbus aircraft, we were able to seamlessly introduce the wide body A330 Family aircraft into our fleet. With the introduction of this A320 with Sharklets, we will be able to further optimise our route network and bring a high level of comfort to our passengers as well as further reducing our operational cost”, said Li Haiying, General Manager of Sichuan Airlines Co., Ltd.

“We are proud to be part of Sichuan Airlines’ success story. They were first Chinese airline to operate the A320, the first to take delivery of an A320 assembled at Airbus’ Tianjin Final Assembly Line, and now one of the first with Sharklets in China,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The Sharklets will deliver up to four per cent reduction in fuel burn and make the airline even more competitive across China and Asia”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Sichuan Airlines is China’s largest all Airbus fleet operator. It introduced an A320 in 1995 to become the first Chinese airline to operate an Airbus fly-by-wire aircraft. In 2009, the airline received the first A320 assembled at the Airbus Final Assembly Line China (FALC) in Tianjin. Now it operates a fleet of five A330s and 70 A320 Family aircraft.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and standard on all members of the new A320neo family. They offer operators up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer range sectors and provide the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, nearly 9,500 aircraft have been ordered and nearly 5,600 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle aircraft.

Airbus Updates No.1037

Lufthansa firms up order for 100 A320 Family aircraft

Largest Airbus airline customer and operator in Europe

17 JUNE 2013 PRESS RELEASE

The Lufthansa Group has firmed up a previous Supervisory Board decision from March this year and signed for 100 A320 Family aircraft (35 A320neo, 35 A321neo and 30 A320ceo with Sharklets) at the Paris International Airshow in Le Bourget, France. 

The Lufthansa Group has been operating the A320 Family since October 1989. They were the launching customer for the A321 and belonged to the first operators of the A319 and A320. The new order confirms Lufthansa’s leading position as the largest Airbus airline customer and operator in Europe, increasing its order for the A320 type to 299. Over 150 of these aircraft have already been delivered. 

“These modern and fuel-efficient aircraft will meet the future growth and fleet renewal needs of the Lufthansa Group airlines. By purchasing these aircraft, we will be able in the long term to offer customers a comfortable and modern product in the highly competitive environment. In addition, these aircraft are contributing significantly to reduce noise and emissions wherever we fly our aircraft to”, said Nico Buchholz, Executive Vice President, Lufthansa Group Fleet Management.

“Lufthansa is a loyal customer, and has been operating our aircraft for almost 40 years. We are extremely pleased to receive this repeat order and thank our prestigious customer for their continuing strong commitment to our eco-efficient products. The A320 Family represents the highest level of operational performance while also offering Lufthansa passengers superior level of comfort and services,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. 

The A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent of the single aisle market in just over two years since it was launched, clearly demonstrating its market leadership. Incorporating new engines and Sharklets these new aircraft are set to deliver fuel savings of 15 percent. In addition, the A320neo Family will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise. The A320neo will enter into service from late 2015, followed by the A319neo and A321neo in 2016. The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft family. To date, nearly 9,500 aircraft have been ordered and close to 5,600 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide. 

Airbus Updates No.988

LAN and TAM take delivery of first Airbus A320s with Sharklets

23 April 2013Press Release

LAN and TAM Airlines, two of Latin America’s leading airlines and part of the LATAM Airlines Group -- one of Airbus largest customers in terms of orders, in-service aircraft and backlog -- took delivery of their first Airbus A320s equipped with Sharklets. Powered by CFM, the LAN and TAM aircraft were delivered this week and will begin operating domestic routes within Chile and Brazil. The two airlines combined have ordered 380 aircraft and have more than 240 aircraft in operation. Their joint Airbus backlog totals nearly 180 aircraft.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and allow Airbus’ airline customers to reduce fuel burn up to four percent over longer sectors and reduce approximately 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year. Sharklets offer operators the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Airbus Updates No.928

Jetstar Japan takes delivery of its first A320 with Sharklet

Carrier becomes the first operator of the new fuel saving devices in Japan

19 February 2013Press Release

Jetstar Japan, one of Japan’s low-cost carriers (LCC), has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices, becoming the first Japanese carrier for the type.

Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft, and standard on all members of the A320neo Family. The new wingtip devices measure 2.4 metres tall, replacing A320’s current wingtip fence. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilogrammes.

“We are very happy to be the first operator of the latest version of the cost efficient A320 in Japan” Jetstar Japan President Miyuki Suzuki said. “The new Sharklet-equipped A320 will help us to save on fuel costs and allow us to continue to offer low fares to our customer.”

“We are delighted that Jetstar Japan has joined a growing list of operators of our A320 equipped with new fuel-saving Sharklet wing-tip devices”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “With a four percent fuel burn reduction, the A320 with Sharklets makes Jetstar Japan one of the most fuel efficient airlines and gives it huge competitive advantages in one of the world’s most challenging markets.”

Jetstar Japan started operations in July 2012. The company is a joint venture between the Qantas Group, Japan Airlines (JAL), Mitsubishi Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation. Jetstar Japan operates an all-Airbus fleet of seven leased A320s, and this will grow to 24 aircraft by the end of 2014.

As of today, over 9,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold worldwide and over 5,400 aircraft delivered to more than 380 customers and operators, 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. 

Airbus Updates No.919

Avianca takes delivery of Sharklet equipped A320

First to benefit from fuel savings in Latin America

13 February 2013Press Release

Avianca, the Colombia-based airline, has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped A320 becoming the first Latin American carrier to take benefit of the new fuel-saving wing-tip devices. The A320, powered by CFM engines, was delivered in Toulouse, France.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and allow Airbus’ airline customers to reduce fuel burn by up to four per cent and CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000 tons per aircraft and year. Sharklets offer operators the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

"With the delivery of this new aircraft equipped with Sharklets, Avianca advances the process of modernizing its fleet, while improving efficiency, reducing fuel burn and increasing range," said Fabio Villegas, CEO of Avianca.

“With the Sharklets, Avianca will be the first airline in the region to benefit from much lower operating costs,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In addition, Avianca’s passengers can fly assured that they are travelling on board the world’s most eco-efficient single aisle aircraft.”

Avianca currently operates 98 A320 Family aircraft, and has 70 on order with the option to be Sharklet equipped. Sharklets are standard on all members of the A320neo Family. In 2012, Avianca placed an order for 33 eco-efficient A320neo aircraft along with 18 incremental A320ceos. With nearly an all-Airbus fleet, Avianca Taca has purchased 190 aircraft and has a backlog of 74 Airbus aircraft.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,100 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,400 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide. Airbus has sold more than 750 aircraft throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and currently holds a backlog that exceeds 370

Airbus Updates No.910

GoAir takes delivery of its first Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklets

Taking fuel efficiency to new highs

30 January 2013Press Release

India’s GoAir, ‘The Fly Smart Airline”, wholly owned by the Wadia Group, has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped A320 aircraft financed by ACG (Aviation Capital Group) under a sale and leaseback arrangement which will see the Aircraft added to ACG's growing portfolio of Airbus A320 family aircraft.

The aircraft is part of an order placed by GoAir for 20 A320ceo in 2006. So far 13 aircraft have been delivered to GoAir making the first Sharklet equipped A320 the 14th to join the fleet. All subsequent seven deliveries will be equipped with Sharklets.

“We already operate one of the youngest and most fuel efficient aircraft fleets anywhere in the world and the introduction of the Sharklet will add further efficiency. Our investment in the every latest technology like Sharklets, and also the A320neo, is a demonstration of our commitment to our customers and to the growth of our valued airline,” said Giorgio De Roni, GoAir CEO

“We are delighted to be partnering GoAir with their fleet expansion and the introduction of the fuel saving Sharklet. We strive to always have the most modern aircraft in our aircraft portfolio and the A320 equipped with Sharklets is a perfect fit,” said Denis Kalscheur, ACG CEO.

“The Sharklets deliver up to four per cent fuel burn reduction on longer sectors, and this translates into impressive cost savings,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “GoAir passengers can also be confident that on board their Sharklet equipped A320s, they’ll be flying the world’s greenest single aisle aircraft.”

Due to the very strong customer demand for Sharklets, all Airbus’ single-aisle final assembly lines (FALs) will be engaged in building A320 Family aircraft with Sharklets. These FALs are located in Toulouse (France), Hamburg (Germany) and Tianjin (China) and will soon be followed by an additional A320 FAL in Mobile (Alabama, USA).

Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and offer operators the option of an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms. Sharklets are standard on all members of the A320neo Family. In 2011, GoAir placed an order for 72 A320neo aircraft.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,000 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,400 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus Updates No.795

AirAsia to become first Airbus A320 ‘Sharklets’ operator

Airbus and the world’s largest A320 customer AirAsia announced that the airline will become the first operator of the A320 with ‘Sharklets’ when they take delivery of the first A320 equipped with these fuel-saving wing-tip devices at the end of this year. The aircraft exhibited on static and flying display at the ILA Berlin Air Show is the flight test aircraft for CFM engines and will also be delivered to AirAsia in 2013.

"The A320 has played a key role in our success, enabling us to offer our passengers the lowest fares possible and completely redefine short haul travel in Asia.” said Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO. “Now we are looking forward to become the first airline in the world to start operating this most fuel-efficient aircraft.”

“AirAsia is one of the fastest growing, most innovative and well-respected brands in the airline industry” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “It is a great endorsement that they have chosen our latest, fuel-saving aircraft of our successful A320 Family”.