California-Based Airline Orders 60 New Aircraft

Virgin America has place a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered starting in 2013, including 30 of the A320neo aircraft – the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient engine option. One of the airplanes ordered is the 10,000th placed with Airbus.

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This formalizes and expands an initial commitment made at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010. Monday's announcement of the new fuel-saving A320neo is a new development in that deal, making Virgin America the launch customer for the new eco-efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft. With today's order and growth from other sources, Virgin America's fleet will more than triple in size – from its current 34 aircraft to 111 aircraft by 2019. To celebrate its growth, the airline today launches a "Sweet 60" sale on flights across its network with fares from $60,* restrictions, taxes and fees applying.

The 30 current-technology A320s are slated for delivery from 2013-2016.  The neo option was launched in late 2010, and the 30 neo aircraft are slated for first delivery in early 2016. Airbus says the A320neo will offer 15 percent gains in fuel efficiency, along with the accompanying improvements in carbon efficiency – including double digit reductions in NOx emissions. The A320neo offers reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500 nautical miles more range. It is estimated that the A320neo's fuel efficiency will yield an average annual savings of $1. 1 million per aircraft.

"At just three years old and at a time when many carriers are contracting, we're pleased to be growing and bringing our award-winning service to new markets," said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush. "We credit a great deal of our success to date to having the right aircraft. The low operating costs, cabin comfort and carbon-efficient design of our all new Airbus A320 Family fleet has helped fuel our growth and success in the North American market – and we're confident the A320neo will only build on that. "

Since its 2007 launch, Virgin America has operated an A320 Family fleet. "We hit our 5,000th order in August of 2004 – after more than 30 years. To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. "And to do so with Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, is very fitting.  The fact that this milestone also embraces the first firm order for our new, eco-efficient A320neo is also very inspiring."

"Virgin airlines are known around the world for innovation – for harnessing the best in design, technology and entertainment to reinvent the travel experience. We're just as committed to investing in the next generation solutions that will make air travel more sustainable," said Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson. "Climate change cannot be ignored by business, and I believe that we must rise to the challenge of combating it and find new and better ways of operating. The A320neo will help us get there, by lowering costs and reducing our impact on the environment. Virgin America's existing A320s are now up to 25 percent more fuel and carbon efficient than the average U. S.  fleet, and the A320neo promises to improve on those numbers even more. "

FMI: www.virginamerica.com, www.airbus.com