Paris Air Show Airbus orders: ALAFCO, LAN, IndiGo, Republic and AviancaTaca
LAN signs firm order for 20 eco-efficient A320neo .
First from a Latin American .
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 becomes 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.
The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and 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 less engine noise, thus being a good neighbour at any airport where airlines will operate the aircraft.
This purchase agreement, which brings LAN’s total Airbus orders to more than 170 aircraft, comes just months after LAN bought 50 A320 Family aircraft in December. The airline is slated to start operating A320s with Sharklets as of 2013.
Ignacio Cueto, LAN Airlines’ Chief Operating Officer, commented: “This order solidifies our continuous commitment to provide customers with the most modern technology in aviation thanks to the A320neo’s dramatic improvements to fuel efficiency and range capabilities. Adding the A320neo to our fleet is a huge step in ensuring LAN’s leadership in the region.”
“Our history with LAN has been consistent with their passion for innovation and growth,” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. “Airbus commends LAN for being the first in the region to order the A320neo and capitalize on its unbeatable cost savings.”
The A320 Family is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. The aircraft feature the latest technology available today, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and the highest degree of operational commonality. With 99.7% reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft today.
The A320 Family has now exceeded 7,000 firm orders, reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. Furthermore, to date more than 4,700 have been delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.
The 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 400 Airbus aircraft are flying with Latin American airlines. This represents more than 60 percent of the fleet delivered in the region.
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ALAFCO to order 30 Airbus A320neo
Lessor sees irresistible demand for the fuel efficient neo
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 49th Paris airshow in Le Bourget. It follows the placing of an earlier firm order for six A350-900 aircraft.
ALAFCO already ordered 26 A320s of which 25 have been delivered. Including this order, it shall then take ALAFCO’s total order for Airbus single aisle aircraft to 56.
“The A320neo is proving to be a very popular aircraft due to its economics and low fuel burn,” said Abulqasim Abdulghaffar Redha, ALAFCO Executive Vice President. “We anticipate strong demand from leasing customers and we look forward to helping them meet their requirements.”
“We’re taking neo orders from all corners of the world, from both airlines and leasing companies because we’ve hit a sweet spot in the market. An aircraft which offers a 15% reduction in fuel burn is proving to be irresistible,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers.
Over 7,000 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. 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 at a given range.
The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. This reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4m litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars. This saves 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount of C02 absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has considerably smaller noise footprint.
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IndiGo firms up order for 150 A320neo and 30 A320s
Benchmark order for single aircraft
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.
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Republic commits to 80 A320neo Family aircraft
A strong endorsement of the newest evolution in the Airbus fleet came today with the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 40 A320 New Engine Option (A320neo) aircraft and 40 A319neo aircraft from Republic Airways Holdings, Inc., the parent company of U.S.-based Frontier Airlines.
The commitment from Republic, announced today at the Paris Air Show, makes the company a launch customer for the A319neo. Republic subsidiary Frontier currently operates 58 Airbus A318, A319 and A320 aircraft.
Republic has selected CFM International’s LEAP-X engine for all 80 of their new A320neo and A319neo aircraft. The aircraft also feature large wingtip devices known as Sharklets. Together, the Sharklets and LEAP-X engines will result in a 15 percent fuel burn reduction, corresponding to an annual carbon dioxide reduction of 3,600 metric tons per aircraft.
This order is a reflection of the strong and mutually beneficial partnership Frontier and Airbus have enjoyed over the past decade,” said Bryan Bedford, chairman, president and CEO of Republic Airways. “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.”
“Frontier’s tagline, ‘a whole different animal,’ is descriptive also of a corporate philosophy that has kept Republic’s airlines at the top of the game with high-technology, high-efficiency aircraft,” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers John Leahy. “With this deal, Republic is selecting the neo as a strong growth platform for their Frontier subsidiary. We couldn’t agree more that this is a wise decision.”
Airbus is the leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. More than 10,100 Airbus aircraft have been sold to more than 440 customers and operators worldwide, and more than 6,700 have been delivered since the company first entered the market in the early seventies.
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AviancaTaca to increase fleet with 51 A320 Family aircraft
Commitment includes 33 A320neo aircraft
Recently-merged AviancaTaca, which includes subsidiary AeroGal of Ecuador, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 51 A320 Family aircraft, including 33 eco-efficient A320neo. Once firm, the order will be the largest order for A320neo in the region and also the biggest from a single airline in the history of Airbus in Latin America.
The new aircraft will support AviancaTaca’s expansion into new markets in Latin America, while keeping the airline’s fleet among the youngest in the region.
“Since 1998, we have relied on the A320 Family’s economic benefits, customer appeal and proven reliability. Adding the A320neo to our fleet enhances AviancaTaca’s fuel efficiency and range capabilities,” said Fabio Villegas, President and CEO of AviancaTaca. “Today’s historic commitment reinforces our ongoing strategy to provide our customers with the most modern, efficient and environmental friendly services in the region.”
With combined orders of 135 aircraft, AviancaTaca operates a total of 85 Airbus aircraft, including 78 A320 Family and seven A330 aircraft. Today, AviancaTaca has a backlog of 40 Airbus aircraft. AviancaTaca operates the entire A320 Family of aircraft (A318, A319, A320 and A321).
“The A320neo will lift AviancaTaca to new levels of savings and efficiency,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “We are very proud that AviancaTaca continues to rely on Airbus to lower their operating costs and to modernize their fleet.”
The A320neo is offered as an option for the A320 Family and 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.
The A320 Family’s recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. The aircraft features the latest technology available today, the widest and most comfortable cabin, and the highest degree of operational commonality. With 99.7% reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has also the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft today.
The A320 Family has exceeded 7,000 firm orders, reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. To date more than 4,700 have been delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide.
The 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 400 Airbus aircraft are flying with Latin American airlines. This represents more than 60 percent of the fleet delivered in the region.
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ALAFCO orders a further six A350 XWBs
Leasing company sees surge in demand for larger aircraft models
ALAFCO, the Kuwait-based international Aviation Lease and Finance Company, has signed an agreement for six more Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. This repeat order brings ALAFCO’s total order for the A350-900 to 18 aircraft. The deal was signed at the 49th Paris airshow in Le Bourget.
ALAFCO placed its first order for the A350 XWB in 2007 when it ordered 12 A350-800s. these were later upsized to the larger A350-900 in 2010. The A350-900 typically has a capacity of around 40 more seats than the A350-800.
“This order reflects a strong recovery in long haul traffic demand from our customer airlines. The A350’s position as the most fuel efficient aircraft in its class is a great asset in our aircraft portfolio,” said Ahmad Al Zabin, ALAFCO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“This order echoes the market demand for larger more fuel efficient long haul aircraft. We are delighted that ALAFCO has selected our A350-900 as the reference aircraft for their long haul leasing business. To get a repeat order from a lessor, is a great vote of confidence in the A350 XWB,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.
The A350 XWB (Extra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,500 nm / 15,600 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314 and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout.
The A350 XWB has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. With power supplied by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of volatile fuel prices, rising passenger expectations and environmental concerns. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 580 from over 36 customers.
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