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Al Jaber Group’s new aviation division, Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) , has placed a new firm order for two Airbus Corporate Jetliners (ACJs) and revealed a previously undisclosed order for two A318 Elites, adding to a previous deal for two A318 Elites. The order makes AJA the largest single customer for the Airbus ACJ Family in the Middle East, with total orders for six aircraft.

“Our Airbus ACJ Family aircraft will offer private travel in unprecedented comfort and style, providing families and companies with a new way to fly,” says Al Jaber Group Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al Jaber. “In addition to the huge improvement in space and comfort, high-end travellers in the Airbus ACJ Family will also benefit from separate cabin-zones and unmatched freedom of movement in flight,” he adds.

“The Al Jaber group has a proven track record of success in construction, logistics, manufacturing and shipping, and is well placed to extend this into business aviation by combining its entrepreneurial skills with the modern Airbus corporate jet family” says Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy. “Al Jaber Aviation is also the first Middle East-based company to offer Airbus corporate jet travel to the VVIP market,” he adds.

Airbus’ A318 Elite is the newest and most affordable Airbus corporate jet, and features a stylish and practical cabin created by Lufthansa Technik, with seating for up to 18 passengers. The Airbus ACJ is derived from the popular A319 airliner, and can be equipped with seating and facilities tailored to customer needs.

Both aircraft feature the widest, tallest and most spacious cabin of any single-aisle corporate jet - their cabin cross-section is almost twice as wide as that of traditional business jets - making them the new top-of-the-line in high-end travel.

Source: Airbus

Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has signed a firm contract for 10 additional A320 aircraft. The contract follows one for 34 Airbus A320s signed at the end of 2007.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman, Air Arabia said, “Following Air Arabia’s expansion plans and the new hub in Morocco expected to operate next year, expanding the fleet size is certainly a need. Our vision is to be one of the world’s leading budget airlines in terms of profit margin, innovation, reputation, and operational excellence, and having the A320 at the heart of our fleet is the best and quickest way we can achieve this.”

“We are pleased Air Arabia has once again confirmed their trust in our A320 family. With this decision, Air Arabia recognises the technological superiority of the A320, which also has the lowest operating costs in its class. The A320 also has the widest fuselage giving added operational efficiency and passenger comfort including increased storage volume,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Sharjah based Air Arabia already operates 16 A320s, and serves a network of more than 44 destinations across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and North Africa. With the establishment of a second hub in Casablanca in early 2009, Air Arabia will extend its network to Europe, Middle East and Africa through a joint venture with Moroccan privately owned airline Regional Airways. The new airline will be called Air Arabia Maroc. Launched in 2003, Air Arabia has served more than 5 million passengers over the past four years.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Airbus

BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based aircraft leasing unit of Bank of China, has placed additional firm orders with Airbus for 20 A320 Family aircraft. The announcement was made today at the Zhuhai Air Show in China.

“Our latest orders reflect ongoing demand for leased aircraft from the A320 Family at both full service and low cost airlines around the world,” said Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation. “The decision to acquire these additional aircraft also represents a sound investment in a proven asset, offering long term value for our business.”

“The order from BOC Aviation is another vote of confidence in the proven appeal of the A320 Family, especially as airlines around the world look to replace older aircraft with newer, more efficient models,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “It also reflects the proven underlying value of the A320 Family as a long term investment for the aircraft leasing community.”

BOC Aviation, formerly known as Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE), is the largest Asia-based aircraft leasing company. Altogether, the company has now ordered 98 single aisle aircraft directly from Airbus, of which 58 have already been delivered. The lessor also has five A330-200F freighters on firm order for future delivery.

Source: Airbus

Volaris, a Mexican low-fare airline based in Toluca, Mexico, has received its first Airbus A320 from Airbus. The aircraft was handed over at a ceremony held in Toulouse. In January 2006, Volaris had signed a contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 16 new A319s, which was renewed in 2007 for 14 more A320 Family aircraft.

Volaris, which started operating in 2006, has since successfully expanded its route network with an all-Airbus fleet, and currently operates 18 A319s.

Volaris’ new A320 will carry 174 passengers in a comfortable single class configuration and will be equipped with IAE V2500 engines. The aircraft will be put into service on Volaris’ high density routes from its Toluca hub.

Volaris is an equal partnership between Inbursa (a Mexican financial institution), Protego-Discovery (an investment fund), TACA (a leading Latin-American airline) and Grupo Televisa (a Latin-American media conglomerate).

Source: Airbus

Arik Air, the growing private airline based in Lagos, Nigeria, has signed a firm contract for the purchase of three Airbus A340-500s. This order makes Arik Air the 10th and latest customer for the A340-500.

The acquisition of the new A340s is an important step in the airline’s growth strategy to develop Lagos and Abuja as hubs. These aircraft will be used on new routes towards London, New York and Houston. These aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines and will provide the best possible passenger comfort in a two-class configuration. All the aircraft will be delivered by the end of November 2008.

Source: Airbus

French Caribbean carrier Air Caraïbes has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for three A350-1000 aircraft, and is with this purchase decision becoming the European launch customer for the largest version of the A350 XWB.

The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s network from Paris to the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and soon to French Guyana. They will be configured in three classes with a total of 440 seats.

Air Caraïbes already operates a young all Airbus long haul fleet of two A330-200s and one A330-300, with three more aircraft of the same type (A330-300) on order. As the airline continues to add capacity on their popular long haul routes, the A350-1000 will become the backbone of the fleet.

Air Caraïbes operates approximately 20 flights per week out of the Paris hub, serving Guadeloupe and Martinique and from there an extensive inter-Caribbean islands route network including, Santa Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Bartholomew, the Dominican Republic, as well as routes to Costa Rica and Panama. The airline distinguishes itself by offering extra comfort with individual TV screens and on demand video systems in all classes.

Source: Airbus