Approaches 6,000-Sales Mark For A320 Family
They aren't the biggest orders Airbus has collected for its A320
Family of jets... but they're noteworthy just the same. On
Wednesday, the European planemaker announced two new deals for the
popular narrowbody aircraft, totaling 10 planes between them.
Atlantic Airways, flag carrier of the Faroe Islands and based in
Sorvagur, signed a firm contract for one Airbus A319 plus one
option -- making the airline a new Airbus customer. Also on
Wednesday, NIKI Luftfahrt GmbH announced a follow-on order for nine
additional A320 Family aircraft, which will raise NIKI's fleet to
20 A320-type planes.
"We are very pleased to have selected the Airbus A319. We have
considered several good alternatives in our selection process, but
in the end we found Airbus to have the overall best solution for
us", said Magni Arge, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Airways.
"Selection of this aircraft gives us the best possibility of
running a viable operation on the existing short runway and also
take the benefits from an extended runway on the Faroe Islands
which we hope to have in place in 2011."
Atlantic Airways' Airbus A319s will feature single-class cabin
layout. The aircraft will be operated on the airlines' network
between the Faroes and Denmark as well as to other growth
destinations in Europe.
"I am delighted to welcome Atlantic Airways as a new customer
for the A319," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer,
Customers. "The A320 Family is undoubtedly the world's favorite
single-aisle aircraft which features highest passenger appeal
combined with the lowest operating costs and lowest fuel burn,
making it extremely eco-efficient."
Airbus said NIKI, a Vienna-based low cost carrier, will employ
its new Airbus jets on routes to European cities and holiday
destinations. The airline, founded in 2003, operates in partnership
with Air Berlin -- a major Airbus customer.
"We placed this additional order after four years of successful
Airbus aircraft operations. The additional A320 Family aircraft
will substantially increase our low-cost services out of Vienna",
says Niki Lauda, President of NIKI. "The Airbus aircraft underpins
our strategic objectives on quality, operational economics and
comfort. Extra comfort levels are guaranteed through the new Airbus
cabin, enhancing customer satisfaction. That is our top
priority."
"We are extremely pleased that NIKI further confirms its
confidence in the A320 Family as the best aircraft for their
successful daily operations," Leahy added. "NIKI was the first to
fly the enhanced Airbus A320 cabin, which makes the aircraft even
quieter, brighter and more spacious. The Austrian airline is flying
the world's most comfortable and eco-efficient short to medium haul
aircraft."
The A320 continues to chip away at the sales lead Boeing
proclaims for its 737 narrowbody family. As of December 2007,
Airbus claimed 5,847 orders for the narrowbody plane, which first
entered service in 1988. Boeing claims over 7,600 orders over the
40-year life of the 737 program.
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