Airline Also Places 27 Options For A320 Family, A330s

Airbus announced Thursday Colombia's national flag carrier, Avianca, will acquire 38 Airbus aircraft -- 33 A319s/A320s, and five A330-200s -- in addition to securing 32 options.

"With this order, Avianca will enter a new era in terms of advanced aircraft technology and passenger comfort", said German Efromovich, President of the Synergy Group which owns Avianca. "The A319s, A320s and A330s will offer our passengers the highest levels of travel comfort whilst allowing us to benefit from their unbeatable economics. On top of that thanks to the high level of commonality between the Airbus products, our pilots will be able to simultaneously fly the different aircraft which will further contribute to our efficiency."

Avianca is Colombia's largest airline, and is also the second oldest commercial airline in the world.

"We are extremely proud and honoured to have been selected by this historic and prestigious airline for its fleet renewal" said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, "Airbus has come a long way in Latin America over the past decade and is now the leading aircraft supplier in the region. We are thankful for the endorsement by Avianca and we look forward to seeing our aircraft fly the skies in Avianca's colors."

Deliveries are scheduled to begin by late-2008.

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.avianca.com