Avianca takes delivery of Sharklet equipped A320

First to benefit from fuel savings in Latin America

Blagnac,  19-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Avianca, the Colombia-based airline, has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped A320 becoming the first Latin American carrier to take benefit of the new fuel-saving wing-tip devices. The A320, powered by CFM engines, was delivered in Toulouse, France.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and allow Airbus’ airline customers to reduce fuel burn by up to four per cent and CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000 tons per aircraft and year. Sharklets offer operators the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

“With the delivery of this new aircraft equipped with Sharklets, Avianca advances the process of modernizing its fleet, while improving efficiency, reducing fuel burn and increasing range,” said Fabio Villegas, CEO of Avianca.

“With the Sharklets, Avianca will be the first airline in the region to benefit from much lower operating costs,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In addition, Avianca’s passengers can fly assured that they are travelling on board the world’s most eco-efficient single aisle aircraft.”

Avianca currently operates 98 A320 Family aircraft, and has 70 on order with the option to be Sharklet equipped. Sharklets are standard on all members of the A320neo Family. In 2012, Avianca placed an order for 33 eco-efficient A320neo aircraft along with 18 incremental A320ceos. With nearly an all-Airbus fleet, Avianca Taca has purchased 190 aircraft and has a backlog of 74 Airbus aircraft.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, over 9,100 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,400 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide. Airbus has sold more than 750 aircraft throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and currently holds a backlog that exceeds 370.

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Eduardo GALICIA-ROQUERO

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