Thu, Oct 02, 2008
Sometimes, Only Four Engines Will Do
In today's environment of high fuel prices and a precarious
global economy, one might find any airline's decision to order a
four-engined airliner to be, well, slightly odd. Nevertheless,
Nigerian private airline Arik Air signed a firm contract this week
to buy three Airbus A340-500s.
Airbus says the new order makes Arik Air the 10th customer for
the quad-engined A340-500, which can fly 313 passengers over 8,650
nautical miles -- range second only to Boeing's twin-engined
777-200LR "Worldliner."
Arik Air planes to use the long-legged planes on new routes to
London, New York and Houston. The aircraft are powered by
Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines and will provide the best possible
passenger comfort in a two-class configuration.
"This aircraft order will enable Arik Air to start international
connections with new and modern aircraft that will support our
objective to become one of Africa's key airlines that operate at
international standards with new aircraft, top maintenance and
where security and quality come first," said Mr. Arumemi-Johnson,
Chairman of Arik Air.
Airbus states all three planes will be delivered by the end of
November 2008... far sooner than any comparable twin-engine
airliner from either Airbus or Boeing could be shipped.
"Arik Air is one of Africa's most dynamic airlines and we are
proud that they have selected the A340 to develop their
international network," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating
Officer Customers.
"With the A340-500 offering outstanding performance, range and
unparalleled levels of passenger comfort, I look forward to the
start of our partnership. We support their development in and
outside Africa."
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