American Airlines’ Milestone A320 Family ORder Marks A Key Win In The U.S. Market, Where Airbus’ Single-Aisle Jetliners Already Have Established Themselves As Workhorse Aircraft In Daily Service On Short- And Medium-Haul Routes.

July 20, 2011 — With this new firm contract – covering 260 A319s, A320s and A321s – American Airlines will become one of the world’s largest operators of the A320 Family, with half of these aircraft being the New Engine Option (neo) versions.

American Airlines joins other U.S.-based carriers and leasing companies that have ordered and/or operate some 2,400 A320 Family jetliners, including Air Lease Corporation, Aviation Capital Group, CIT, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, GECAS, ILFC, jetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.

Many of these customers have acquired more than one version from the A318, A319 A320 and A321 product line, taking advantage of the high commonality and interoperability offered only by Airbus’ fly-by-wire aircraft family.

The U.S. also is a market for Airbus widebody aircraft, where the A330, A340 and A350 XWB have been ordered by airlines and leasing companies.

Not only are these jetliners carrying millions of passengers on flights operated by U.S. airlines, the production of such aircraft for Airbus’ worldwide customer base provides a major – and expanding – source of business for suppliers across the country. Airbus is the U.S. aerospace industry’s no. 1 export customer, with several hundred suppliers in more than 40 states providing goods and services that range from fasteners to engines and complete fuselage sections – supporting more than 180,000 jobs.

As Airbus’ order book expands and its jetliner production rates rise, U.S. industry is benefiting from this increased activity. Airbus has spent approximately $100 billion in procurement with U.S. industry from 1990 through now.

The opportunities for current and future suppliers will grow significantly as the Airbus sourcing volume for U.S. companies is expected to increase from 2010 to 2020, driven by the ramp-up in its jetliner production rates and the introduction of new aircraft versions.

Underscores continued popularity of the best-selling mid-size widebody

JUNE 29, 2011 — Singapore Airlines (SIA) has finalised an agreement with Airbus to expand its fleet with 15 more A330-300s. The aircraft will join an existing fleet of 19 A330-300s at the carrier, flying from Singapore to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region and to the Middle East. As with the carrier’s existing A330 fleet, the new aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines.

“We are extremely pleased that Singapore Airlines will add further A330s to its fleet,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “The news underscores the position of the A330 as the most popular aircraft in its class, offering levels of comfort, efficiency and reliability that continue to make it a winner with airlines worldwide.”

The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and more than 750 A330s are currently flying with over 80 airlines worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter models, the A330 is also offered in VIP and Military Transport/Tanker variants.

Benchmark order for single aircraft

June 22, 2011 — India’s largest low-cost carrier, IndiGo has 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.

The order makes IndiGo one of the A320neo launch customers. Engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date. Today’s order for 180 aircraft is on top of a firm order for 100 A320s placed June 2005. Out of the 2005 order, 44 aircraft have already been delivered.

“Our order with Airbus will further establish IndiGo as a leading carrier in the Indian market, and one that continues to offer low fares and high service. Our existing order for 100 A320s and the order announced today will help meet India’s growing flying market, in the most cost efficient and environmentally responsible way possible,” said Aditya Ghosh, IndiGo’s President.

“This record order for our A320neo will enable IndiGo to achieve the maximum benefit from India’s projected strong passenger traffic growth over the coming years. Today’s agreement is clear endorsement of our A320neo and we thank Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia for their confidence and commitment to Airbus,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

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 has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload.

The A320neo, available from 2015, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called “Sharklets” delivering significant fuel savings of 15 percent, which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel per aircraft per year, or the consumption of 1,000 mid sized cars. This saves 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

Another Endorsement From Asia For Latest Versions Of Best-Selling A320 Family

June 21, 2011 — TransAsia Airways of Taiwan announced today that it has placed a firm order with Airbus for six A321neo aircraft. The new aircraft will enable the airline to respond to strong growth on regional services, especially on direct routes between Taiwan and mainland China. TransAsia will announce an engine selection for the new aircraft in the near future.

TransAsia Airways currently operates five A321s and two A320s on domestic and regional services. In addition to the order announced today, the airline already has six sharklet-fitted A321s on order for future delivery.

“With 18 years of successful operations with the A320 Family we have benefited from the low operating costs and exceptional reliability offered by the Airbus single aisle product line,” explained Vincent Lin, Chairman, of TransAsia Airways. “The A321neo will fit seamlessly into our existing fleet from an operational viewpoint, bringing new levels of fuel efficiency and having less impact on our environment.”

“This order from TransAsia represents another vote of confidence from the Asian region in the latest versions of the best-selling A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “No other aircraft in the 185-220 seat category will come close to the levels of efficiency offered by the A321neo, which will fly further at significantly less cost than the latest version of its direct competitor.”

The A321neo is the largest model in the recently launched A320neo series. Incorporating new engines and large wing tip devices called sharklets, the A320neo series 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 series will have over 95% airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit easily into existing A320 Family fleets.

The new engines types offered on the A320neo Family are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.

Aircraft To Be Operated By Low Cost Unit Citilink

June 21, 2011 — 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.

March 16, 2011 — Lufthansa’s Supervisory Board has approved the acquisition of 30 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft worth approximately US$2.8 billion. The order comprises 25 A320neo and five A321neo aircraft. With this latest selection the Lufthansa Group, Airbus’s biggest airline customer, will have acquired a combined total of 443 Airbus aircraft. The engine decision will be announced by the airline at a later date.

The A320neo incorporates new more efficient engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings. This will represent 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, thus being a good neighbour at any airport where Lufthansa is operating the aircraft.
“We salute Lufthansa’s decision for sustainable growth with our eco-efficient A320neo aircraft, which will fit seamlessly into its Airbus A320 fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “Since its launch in December last year, the ‘neo’ has taken the market by storm and has already attracted more than 330 commitments – with more to come. This represents the fastest rate of sales for any commercial aircraft ever.”

Today the Lufthansa Group is Airbus’ biggest operator worldwide with around 339 Airbus aircraft currently in service. These include: 236 A320 Family; 33 A330s; 65 A340s; and five A380s delivered. In addition to this latest decision for 30 aircraft, the Lufthansa Group has an order backlog which includes 60 A320 Family aircraft, eight A330s, and 10 A380s.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Almost 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and over 4,500 delivered to more than 320 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing models making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload. Engines offered on the A320neo are CFM International’s LEAP-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G.

World’s Most Popular Mid-Size Widebody Stays High In Demand

HONG KONG, March 9, 2011 — Cathay Pacific Airways has placed a firm order with Airbus for 15 more A330-300s. Scheduled for delivery from 2013, the aircraft will join the airline’s existing A330 fleet flying on services across the Asia-Pacific region. As with the airline’s existing A330 fleet, the newly ordered aircraft will be powered by Trent 700 engines from Rolls-Royce.

“The A330 has proved itself to be an extremely efficient and versatile aircraft for Cathay Pacific, flying on Asian regional services and longer operations to the Middle East and Australia,” said Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways. “Our latest order reflects our confidence that the A330 will continue to meet our needs well into the future, both economically and operationally, as a key part of our fleet.”
“The latest order from Cathay Pacific underscores the position of the A330 as the most popular mid-size widebody flying today,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers, Airbus. “The proven reliability, low operating costs and strong passenger appeal offered by the A330 will ensure that it remains the most efficient aircraft in its class for many years to come.”

The twin engine A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service today. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the aircraft. Some 750 A330s have already been delivered and the aircraft is currently flying with 90 operators worldwide in 50 countries.

Brazilian Airline Orders 22 A320neo And 10 A320 Family Aircraft

February 28, 2011 —TAM Airlines, Brazil’s largest airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 32 eco-efficient Airbus A320 aircraft, comprising 22 A320neo and 10 A320 Family aircraft. The order makes TAM the launch customer for the A320neo in Latin America. Engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date.

The A320neo, available from 2016, incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called Sharklets, which together, deliver significant fuel savings of up to 15 percent, representing up to 3,600 tonnes CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and significantly reduced engine noise.

“Our order for industry leading fuel efficient aircraft opens a world of possibilities for TAM, thanks to its substantially increased range capability,” said Líbano Barroso, CEO of TAM Airlines. “Ordering more A320s allows TAM to reduce costs and further improve our environmental performance.”

“The A320neo will fit neatly into TAM Airlines’ fleet, offering maximum benefit for minimum change,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “This enables TAM to take full advantage of Brazil’s expected growth in air travel, especially in light of the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games, and to do so in the most eco-efficient way possible”.

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Some 7,000 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and over 4,500 delivered to more than 320 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7% reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. The A320neo has over 95% airframe commonality with the A320 Family whilst offering up to 500nm (950 km) more range or two tonnes more payload.

Airbus fleet operating in Latin America has doubled in the last five years. With more 550 aircraft sold and a record backlog of more than 250 aircraft to be delivered to its Latin American customers, today nearly 370 Airbus aircraft are flying with 21 Latin American airlines. This represents more than 60 percent of the fleet delivered in the region.