Armavia takes delivery of its first new A319
 The airline will offer unrivalled comfort on its international routesArmenia flag carrier Armavia has today taken delivery of its first new A319. The aircraft was handed over to Armavia's President, Mikhail Bagdasarov, at a ceremony held at the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany. Operated under a lease agreement with ILFC, the new A319 will increase the airline's Airbus fleet to five aircraft. Armavia's A319 features the all-new cabin that recently entered service on all members of the A320 Family, and which provides more passenger comfort in a more modern and brighter environment. The aircraft, powered by CFM International CFM56 engines, can accommodate 134 passengers in a two-class cabin layout. The airline plans to operate this aircraft on its international routes, such as to Moscow, Paris, Amsterdam, Saint Petersburg, Zurich, Berlin, Athens, Kiev, Odessa, Simferopol and Dubai. "The acquisition of Airbus aircraft has become a heart-warming tradition for Armenia and in particular for its national carrier, Armavia," said Mikhail Bagdasarov, President of Armavia. Armavia, the national flag carrier of Armenia, was founded in 1996. Since 2005, Armavia fully belongs to the private entity MIKA Trading Co. Armavia was the first airline in the CIS region to operate A320 Family aircraft, from 2002. Today the airline operates two A319s and two A320s, flying to numerous destinations in the CIS, Europe and Asia. "We are glad that Armavia airline continues to enlarge its single-aisle fleet with the best-selling A320 Family aircraft. The airline will undoubtedly benefit not only from the great economic efficiency of the A319, but also from its commonality with its Airbus fleet in operation, while its passengers enjoy unprecedented level of comfort in the new cabin," added John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. Around 6,300 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and more than 3,700 delivered to some 220 customers and operators worldwide (including 119 aircraft with 11 operators in CIS countries), making it the worlds 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. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system.  |
