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Incorporating both Sharklets and new more fuel-efficient
engines, the key benefits of the A320neo compared
to today’s A320 have 15% reduced fuel burn equivalent
to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 savings per year per A320neo,
two tonnes additional payload or up to 500 nautical
miles/950 kilometres more range, significantly
reduced noise, eight percent lower cash operating
costs and the two new engine options of Pratt
& Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G geared turbofan
and CFM International’s LEAP-X.
A320neo outperforms the competition 16% less
fuel burn per seat compared to Boeing’s wingletequipped
737-800; equivalent fuel burn to the Bombardier
C-Series (CS300) but with 1,300 nautical miles
more range; 95 percent airframe spares commonality
with the A320 Family which has proven its very
high level of reliability (99.7 percent) in over
54 million flights, Airbus said in a statement.
India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo firmed
up its historic order for 180 airbus single aisle
aircraft. The firming up of the order for 150
A320neo and 30 A320 follows the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in January.
Rakesh Gangwal, co-founder of IndiGo said, “This
order will allow IndiGo to continue to offer low
fares.”
AirAsia, the largest low cost airline in the
Asia-Pacific region based in Malaysia, has placed
a firm order with Airbus for 200 A320neo aircraft.
The contract, announced at the Paris Air Show,
is the largest order ever placed for the A320
Family and makes AirAsia the biggest airline customer
or the Airbus single aisle product line worldwide.
AirAsia announced hat its A320neo aircraft will
be powered by CFM International’s new LEAP-X engines.
Said Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Offificer,
AirAsia: “Our decision to be ne of the launch
customers for the A320neo will ensure that we
remain t the forefront of our business, with one
of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets”.
India’s GoAir has also selected the A320neo for
its long term fleet expansion plans with a firm
order for 72 aircraft. The agreement was signed
at Le Bourget. “Today we have shown our commitment
to the growth of our airline and to our loyal
customers. The combined order for 92 Airbus aircraft
(20 A320s and 72 A320neo) reinforces our longstanding
partnership with the leading manufacturer and
the leading aircraft the market has to offer,”
said Jeh Wadia, Managing Director, Go Airlines.
“We are delighted with GoAir’s endorsement of
our A320neo.
As an established operator of the A320, GoAir
clearly recognises the benefits and productivity
gains of being able to operate A320s and A320neo
harmoniously in a single fleet,” said Tom Enders,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Airbus.
Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., the parent company
of U.S.-based Frontier Airlines announced a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) for 40 A320 New Engine
Option (A320neo) aircraft and 40 A319neo aircraft.
Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of
Republic Airways said, “The addition of these
state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient aircraft to our
fleet will be a major factor in Frontier maintaining
its position as an industry cost leader and will
allow Frontier to continue to offer travelers
low fares despite persistently high fuel prices.”
Another New York-based airline JetBlue Airways
and Airbus announced a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) for the airline to purchase 40 A320neo (new
engine option) aircraft. In addition, the MOU
will result in JetBlue converting 30 of its current
orders for A320 aircraft to the larger A321 model
with enhanced wingtip devices called Sharklets.
“JetBlue’s very first flight was operated by an
A320, and with today’s news, we are further planning
our future fleet with Airbus, our longest-standing
business partner,” said Dave Barger, President
and CEO of JetBlue Airways.
Air Lease Corporation (ALC), the Los Angeles
based aircraft leasing company has opted to expand
its single-aisle and wide-body fleet portfolio
with modern, ecoefficient Airbus aircraft. ALC
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at
the 49th Le Bourget Airshow for 50 A320neo Family
aircraft including 14 options. Steven Udvar- Hazy,
ALC’s CEO stated, “The A330 Family offers excellent
economics in the mid-size widebody category today
making it the ideal aircraft, right now and therefore
an absolute must for the growth of ALCs portfolio”.
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), the commercial
aircraft leasing and financing arm of General
Electric announced a firm order for 60 A320neo
Family aircraft at Le Bourget airshow. GECAS has
selected CFM’s LEAP-X engine for all 60 A320neo
aircraft. “The A320neo Family will bring fuel
savings to customers while offering the same levels
of in-service reliability they expect,” said Norman
CT Liu, President and CEO of GECAS. “We have a
solid track record of placing A320s with customers
around the globe.”
CIT Group Inc. the global commercial finance
company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Airbus for 50 A320neo Family aircraft.
This order brings the total number of aircraft
in the Airbus order book for CIT to 241 aircraft,
comprising 195 A320 Family aircraft (including
the 50 A320neo aircraft), 39 A330s, seven A350
XWBs.
LAN Airlines, one of Latin America’s leading
passenger and cargo airlines placed a firm order
at Le Bourget Airshow for 20 A320neo aircraft
as part of its expansion strategy and fleet renewal
program. The airline became the first in the region
to sign a firm order for the A320neo. Engine selection
will be announced by the airline at a later date.
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation
Lease and Finance Company, has signed an agreement
for 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft. The Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the Le Bourget.
It follows the placing of an earlier firm order
for six A350- 900 aircraft.
SAS also signed a firm order for 30 A320neo Family
aircraft. The new A320neos will join the airline’s
existing fleet of eight A321s and four A319s,
and enable SAS to transition to an all-Airbus
fleet at its prime Copenhagen base. “This aircraft
order, on the newest Airbus A320, is a significant
and important step in our renewal and harmonization
of our aircraft fleet. Through this, we will operate
with the market’s most efficient and environmental
friendly short and medium distance aircraft,”
said Goran Jansson, SAS Deputy President & Chief
Financial Officer.
Another fact which came forth at the Paris Air
Show is that the big orders are coming from the
Asian and South American nations indicating continuing
shift in economic power from west to east. So
Airbus has targeted the most potential market
and the strategy has worked.
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