AirAsia To Become First Airbus A320 ‘Sharklets’ Operator

Airbus and the world’s largest A320 customer AirAsia announced that the airline will become the first operator of the A320 with ‘Sharklets’ when they take delivery of the first A320 equipped with these fuel-saving wing-tip devices at the end of this year. The aircraft exhibited on static and flying display at the ILA Berlin Air Show is the flight test aircraft for CFM engines and will also be delivered to AirAsia in 2013.

"The A320 has played a key role in our success, enabling us to offer our passengers the lowest fares possible and completely redefine short haul travel in Asia.” said Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO. “Now we are looking forward to become the first airline in the world to start operating this most fuel-efficient aircraft.”

“AirAsia is one of the fastest growing, most innovative and well-respected brands in the airline industry” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “It is a great endorsement that they have chosen our latest, fuel-saving aircraft of our successful A320 Family”.

Airbus comes to this week’s ILA Berlin Air Show with a positive outlook for the future, anticipating another solid year of sales in 2012 and benefitting from the advantages of its jetliner product line evolution to maintain the company’s leadership.

Airbus is positioned to sustain its competitive edge in the single-aisle jetliner category, building on the unprecedented airline industry response to its A320neo (new engine option) product line launched 18 months ago, along with continuing popularity of the A320ceo (current engine option) aircraft.

The widebody twin-engine A330 also is expected to draw new orders, while the A350 XWB is well positioned as Airbus’ next-generation entry in this market – and strongly competitive with other aircraft in the same segment, he added.

For the very large aircraft category, Airbus’ A380 remains “the aircraft of the future,” Brégier concluded, providing a highly efficient and eco-friendly jetliner for growing passenger volume as global air traffic once again is expected to double during the next 15 years.