Air Europa Orders Three
Air Europa of Spain Tuesday became
the first airline to commit to the A350-800, Airbus’ new
245-seater aircraft only on offer since 10th December, after
signing a Memorandum of Understanding for 10 aircraft and 2 further
options. The airline said its decision came after a rigorous
evaluation of the aircraft’s performance and efficiency with
the aircraft due to be delivered between 2010 and 2012.
To power the aircraft, Air Europa has picked GEnx engines from
GE Aircraft Engines and will carry between 300 and 330 seats. As
part of Air Europa’s plans to expand its current fleet, it
has signed a contract for delivery of one A340-200 leased from
Airbus in 2005 and intends to lease two new A330-200s in the spring
of 2006.
Airbus bases the design of the A350 on the wide-body A330, with
between 245 to 285 seats and long-range capabilities. Complementing
the existing A330 and A340 product line, the A350-800/900 offers
the same external dimensions with a 245 and 285 seat capacity
respectively, an increased range up to 8,600 NM, new generation
engines, that provide about 12-percent lower fuel consumption, new
wings and a lighter structure employing an increased amount of
composite material. The same type rating for pilots will allow Air
Europa to optimize efficiency with the A340-200 and the A330-200.
The application of the latest state of the art technology in the
cabin will provide for best passenger and crew comfort.
"This commitment will without doubt be a key element in the
complete renewal of the Air Europa wide-body fleet, making it one
of the most modern fleet on the continent and allowing our company
to continue with its growth strategy," stated Juan Jose Hidalgo,
Executive President of the Globalia Group and parent company of Air
Europa.
"Only days after the approval from our shareholders to offer
this aircraft on the market, Airbus is already in the position to
announce its first customer for the A350, demonstrating that the
A350 indeed correspond to market needs," said Airbus CEO Noel
Forgeard. "Air Europa is a fast growing airline in a market that is
very important and we are proud of their confidence. We are sure it
will be followed soon by more airlines showing their interest in
this latest Airbus product."
A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and
comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global
company with design and manufacturing facilities in France,
Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the US, China
and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS
joint Company with BAE Systems.