Category: Airbus

Grupo Marsans, the largest tourism and transport group in Spain and fourth in Europe, has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 61 Airbus aircraft including four A380s, ten A350-900s, five A330-200s and 42 A320 Family aircraft (of which 12 A319s, 25 A320s and five A321s). These aircraft will be operated by Grupo Marsans’ subsidiary or related airlines. This new order adds to the previous order for 12 A330-200s and will bring Grupo Marsans’ total orders with Airbus to 73 aircraft.

On the occasion of the announcement, Gonzalo Pascual, President of Grupo Marsans, said: “This important order allows Grupo Marsans to put into action its mid and long term development plan, to enhance our position on the short and long haul sector by incorporating the most efficient aircraft available on the market today and tomorrow. In addition to the overall fleet enhancement this represents, we are particularly proud that, with the A380, we will become the first A380 customer and operator in Spain and Latin America.”

“This order, which basically covers all our product range, including the most recent ones such as the A380 and A350, represents a major vote of confidence. It will allow Grupo Marsans to benefit from the operational commonality of the Airbus product range in the best way possible,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “With this purchase, Grupo Marsans, who control various airlines in Europe and Latin America, will have the most efficient and modern aircraft fleet available to further strengthen and develop their operations both within Spain, regionally and internationally”, he added.

Source: 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

AirAsia X, the long haul low cost unit of the Malaysia-based AirAsia Group, has taken delivery of its first new A330-300. The aircraft was handed over at ceremony at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse on Friday.

The new aircraft is the first of 25 A330-300s ordered by AirAsia X for the development of its long haul operation, linking Kuala Lumpur with destinations in Australia, North Asia, the Middle East and Europe, complementing the existing AirAsia network.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the carrier’s new A330 offers accommodation for 383 passengers in a two-class layout, with 355 seats in Economy and 28 in the airline’s new XL premium class.

In total, the AirAsia Group has placed firm orders with Airbus for 200 aircraft, comprising 25 A330s for AirAsia X and 175 single aisle A320s for the short haul operation.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Airbus

Airbus recently announced that Croatia Airlines, the flag carrier of the Republic of Croatia, has signed a firm contract for the purchase of four A319s to add to its growing medium haul fleet aircraft. The new A319s will join its eight A320 Family aircraft already in operation.

Croatia Airlines’ A319s will feature the all-new cabin which provides more passenger comfort in a modern and brighter environment. The ordered aircraft will accommodate 132 passengers in a two-class configuration. Powered by CFM International CFM56-5 engines, the aircraft will be deployed on the airline’s extended European and domestic networks.

Source: Airbus
Photo: 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

On Friday the Colombian flag carrier Avianca took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200. This A330 is the first of ten aircraft of this type to be delivered to the airline. This aircraft is part of an Avianca order for 57 Airbus aircraft, which was signed in May 2007, and includes 47 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and ten A330-200s. Avianca also ordered another three A320s via leasing companies. Avianca’s main shareholder, the Synergy Group, has furthermore purchased ten A350XWBs.

The airline will operate the A330 on its intercontinental network to Europe, and on routes in the Americas. The aircraft will be able to accommodate 280 passengers in a spacious two-class configuration, and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent772B engines.

Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, already received one A320 and three A319s this year as start of a complete fleet renewal programme. Until the end of 2008, Avianca will still receive another A319, one more A320 and one additional A330-200.

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