Wizz Air Hungary takes delivery of its first Airbus Sharklet equipped A320

Wizz Air Hungary, the largest Central and Eastern European low cost - low fare airline, has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices. The carrier becomes one of the first Eastern European Airlines to do so, following the delivery in March of the first A320 with Sharklets to Wizz Air Ukraine. Wizz Air’s cumulative orders stand at 112 aircraft. Including this delivery, Wizz Air Hungary’s in service fleet rises to 38 A320 Family aircraft.



Sharklets are newly designed wing-tip devices that improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and significantly cut the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by four per cent on longer sectors. Sharklets are an option on A320 Family aircraft. They offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

29 April 2013 Press Release

Sharklet equipped to save up to four percent in fuel burn

Nepal’s national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy two Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklet fuel saving wing tip devices. Sharklets deliver up to four percent savings in fuel consumption making the aircraft a cornerstone of NAC’s fleet modernisation.



The A320 was chosen for its unbeatable economics, its unique performance capability required for high altitude airport operations and its flexibility that enables it to be deployed on a wide variety of routes.

“For a landlocked nation, aviation really is our window to the world and the world’s window to us. Nepal offers explorers, trekkers and pleasure seekers a wide range of cultural, ecological and outdoor pursuits. Adding the A320 to our fleet, will help us to capitalise on tourism growth and to enhance our network using the most fuel efficient aircraft available,” said Madan Kharel, Managing Director, Nepal Airlines Corporation.

The A320 is fully equipped to benefit from Required Navigation Performance (RNP) allowing the aircraft to fly precisely along predefined routes using state-of-the-art onboard navigation systems. This is particularly useful for operations at high altitude airports which are constrained by mountains such as Kathmandu.

“The A320 is the most capable and efficient aircraft that can serve challenging airports like Kathmandu. The Sharklets will deliver four per cent less fuel burn, so for a landlocked nation such as Nepal, these aircraft will be a lifeline and economic driver for prosperity. We are delighted to welcome Nepal Airlines as our newest customer,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

NAC was incorporated on 1 July 1958 through the enactment of the Nepal Airlines Corporation Act. 1962. The Airline currently flies to four international destinations and 25 spectacular domestic locations in the heart of the Himalayas.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. More than 9,400 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever.

29 April 2013 Press Release

Eco-efficient Airbus aircraft support fast growing Chinese civil aviation

China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) with Airbus for the purchase of 60 Airbus aircraft, which includes 42 A320 Family aircraft and 18 A330 aircraft.

The GTA was signed today at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing by Li Hai, President and CEO of CAS and Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus in the presence of the visiting French President François Hollande and the Chinese President Xi Jinping. It was part of a series of France-China agreements signed today.

“We are delighted to receive a new order from our long-standing customer CAS for both the Airbus best-selling single aisle A320 Family and wide-body A330 Family,” said Fabrice Brégier, President and CEO of Airbus. “The A320’s high reliability and low operational cost has made it very popular with Chinese airlines. As congestion puts pressure on airports in large cities in China, the A330 is an excellent solution as larger aircraft can transport more passengers with less flights. The comfort of the A330’s spacious cabin is also appealing to passengers. These eco-efficient Airbus aircraft will contribute to the growth and success of China’s aviation sector,” said Fabrice Brégier.

By the end of March 2013, there were some 750 A320 Family aircraft in operation with 14 Chinese airlines and more than 110 A330s in operation with six operators.

More than 9,400 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,500 delivered to more than 385 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft Family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,200 orders, with around 900 aircraft flying with some 90 operators worldwide. Ever since the original version of the A330-300 entered service, the hallmark has been its very efficient operating economics. Thanks to the introduction of numerous product improvements, it still remains the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class and the family is achieving average dispatch reliability above 99 percent.

25 April 2013 Press Release

Opportunity for some 1,000 high-skilled workers direct and many more in supply chain

Airbus manufacturing in the United States advanced another step closer to reality today in Mobile, Alabama, as construction of the company’s A320 Family Assembly Line officially began.



During a groundbreaking ceremony at the Mobile Brookley Aeroplex, Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier acknowledged the significance of the U.S. facility to Airbus’ global growth. “Building an A320 Family Assembly Line in Mobile is truly groundbreaking for Airbus. Our customers need more aircraft that cut fuel burn, emissions and operating costs. With this assembly line we will be able to meet our customers’ needs at their doorstep, in addition to the worldwide demand for these efficient aircraft. When this assembly line opens, we will be the only one to assemble aircraft in Asia, the Americas and Europe.”

The new assembly line, which is the company’s first U.S.-based production facility, will be located at the Mobile Brookley Aeroplex and will facilitate assembly of A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. Major construction of the facility will begin this summer. Aircraft assembly is planned to begin in 2015, with first delivery of a Mobile-assembled aircraft in 2016. At full production, the assembly line and associated facilities would produce up to four aircraft a month which directly translates into employing as many as 1,000 high-skilled workers.

EADS CEO Tom Enders helped lead the celebrations and welcomed more than 1,000 attendees including many EADS and other Airbus executives, state and national dignitaries, industry officials and the local community. In a twist from typical groundbreaking ceremonies, officials and dignitaries introduced various members of the Gulf Coast community and aviation industry who spoke about how the new assembly line is not just about making airplanes, but the substantial positive impact it will make in the lives of thousands of people like themselves. Local community representatives included: Henry Hinojosa, Project Superintendent with Hoar Program Management represented the local construction industry; Liz Freeman, co-owner of Long’s Human Resource Services represented local small businesses; Victoria Corob, an eighth grader in Mobile; and Dr. Keivan Deravi, Professor of Economics at Auburn University Montgomery. Industry speakers included Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins and Dave Barger, President and CEO of JetBlue Airways.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus champions innovative technologies and offers some of the world’s most fuel efficient and quiet aircraft. Airbus has sold over 12,700 aircraft to more than 500 customers and operators worldwide. Airbus has achieved more than 7,700 deliveries since the first Airbus aircraft entered service.

Airbus already has a strong and growing presence in Alabama and throughout the United States. In Alabama, the company operates an Engineering Center in Mobile – also located at Brookley Aeroplex – which employs more than 200 engineers and support staff. In addition, Airbus’ operates an even larger Engineering Center in Wichita, Kansas, an aircraft Spares Center in Ashburn, Virginia; a Training Center in Miami, Florida, and a regulatory and government liaison office in Washington, D.C. The company’s headquarters for the Americas is located in Herndon, Virginia. Airbus’ U.S.-based air traffic management subsidiary, Metron Aviation, is located in Chantilly, Virginia. All together, Airbus’ U.S. facilities employ more than 1,000 people.

8 April 2013 Press Release

A330 comfort, efficiency and reliability set the foundation for Air Pacific’s new identity of ‘Fiji Airways’.

Air Pacific, Fiji’s national airline, has formally rolled out its soon to be adopted new ‘Fiji Airways’ identity with the delivery of its first new A330-200 aircraft. Whilst the carrier will officially adopt the ‘Fiji Airways’ brand in June, the aircraft will begin commercial services on April 2nd. The aircraft was officially accepted by Nick Caine, Air Pacific’s CFO, at Airbus’ delivery centre in Toulouse.



The aircraft is the first painted in Fiji Airways’ striking new livery depicting traditional Fijian symbols of welcome, caring and connection of its people to their islands. The livery was designed by celebrated Fijian Masi artist Makereta Matemosi.

The aircraft is the first from an order for three A330-200 placed in 2011 to replace Air Pacific’s B747s and B767s with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

“We are determined to become the airline of choice in the South Pacific. Our distinctive livery conveys the warmth and hospitality of our home. Our passengers will experience superior comfort with our state of the art cabin products once we start commercial operations with the A330 in April, with even better features and products to be rolled out once we become ‘Fiji Airways’ in June. The A330 is the most fuel efficient aircraft in its category and allows us to optimise our network and modernise our fleet to ensure future growth,” said Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO.

“We are delighted that the Airbus A330 was chosen as the “canvas” on which to launch the airline’s new brand “Fiji Airways”, said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer – Customers. The A330 offers the best operating economics and the most sumptuous cabin of any aircraft in its category and will serve Fiji Airways well in their ambitious growth plans.”

Airbus is the leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,200 orders, with around 900 aircraft flying with some 90 operators worldwide. Ever since the original version of the A330-300 entered service, the hallmark has been its very efficient operating economics. Thanks to the introduction of numerous product improvements, it still remains the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class and the family is achieving average dispatch reliability above 99 percent.

15 March 2013 Press Release