Order Includes Four A380s

European planemaker Airbus, hit hard by the global economic slump, received a needed shot in the arm Monday... with the announcement Grupo Marsans, the largest tourism and transport group in Spain and fourth in Europe, has signed a firm order for 61 Airbus aircraft -- including four A380s, ten A350-900s, five A330-200s and 42 A320 Family aircraft (of which 12 A319s, 25 A320s and five A321s).

These aircraft will be operated by Grupo Marsans' subsidiary or related airlines. This new order adds to the previous order for 12 A330-200s and will bring Grupo Marsans' total orders with Airbus to 73 aircraft.

"This important order allows Grupo Marsans to put into action its mid and long term development plan, to enhance our position on the short and long haul sector by incorporating the most efficient aircraft available on the market today and tomorrow," said Gonzalo Pascual, President of Grupo Marsans. "In addition to the overall fleet enhancement this represents, we are particularly proud that, with the A380, we will become the first A380 customer and operator in Spain and Latin America."

"This order, which basically covers all our product range, including the most recent ones such as the A380 and A350, represents a major vote of confidence. It will allow Grupo Marsans to benefit from the operational commonality of the Airbus product range in the best way possible," added John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

"With this purchase, Grupo Marsans, who control various airlines in Europe and Latin America, will have the most efficient and modern aircraft fleet available to further strengthen and develop their operations both within Spain, regionally and internationally."

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.marsans.es