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flee

AirAsia to become first Airbus A320 ‘Sharklets’ operator

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Airbus A320 with winglet looks like mixed Boeing and Airbus parentage. :)

I guess this is what happens when you feed parameters into the computer - the output will be somewhat similar, given the current knowledge of aerodynamics.

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AirAsia becomes first operator of Airbus’ Sharklet equipped A320

 

800x600_1356084960_A320_Sharklet_first_d

 

A320 Family operators to benefit from four percent fuel burn savings


21 December 2012

Airbus has delivered the first A320 equipped with Sharklets today to AirAsia, which becomes the first operator of the new fuel-saving large wing tip devices. Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft, and are standard on all members of the A320neo Family.

 

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 metres tall. These newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft significantly. Cutting airlines’ fuel bills by around four percent, Sharklets will offer the flexibility to A320 Family operators of either adding around 100 nautical miles more range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilogrammes.

 

“We are extremely proud to be the first airline in the world to take delivery of an A320 fitted with Airbus’ new, fuel saving Sharklets,” said Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Group Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia . “AirAsia has a long-standing, special relationship with Airbus and as we grow our network with our all A320 fleet, these new wing tip devices will contribute to fulfilling our goal of being the most efficient, innovative low cost airline in the world.”

 

“As our biggest A320 Family airline customer, it’s very fitting that AirAsia is the first carrier to benefit from the four percent fuel saving our new Sharklets deliver,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “AirAsia’s vision is to make is possible for everyone to fly and now with their Sharklet-equipped A320s they can assure their passengers that they are also travelling on board the world’s most environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft.”

 

Due to the very strong customer demand for Sharklets, all Airbus’ single-aisle final assembly lines (FALs) will be engaged in building A320 Family aircraft with Sharklets. These FALs are located in Toulouse (France), Hamburg (Germany) and Tianjin (China) and will soon be followed by an additional A320 FAL in Mobile (Alabama, USA).

 

AirAsia, the largest low cost airline in Asia is also Airbus’ largest A320 Family airline customer. The carrier recently placed a new order with Airbus on the 13th December 2012 for 100 more A320 Family aircraft including 36 A320ceo aircraft with Sharklets. Altogether, AirAsia has ordered 475 single aisle aircraft from Airbus, comprising 264 A320neo and 211 A320ceo. Over 100 aircraft have already been delivered to the airline and are flying out of its bases in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila and Tokyo.

 

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. To date, close to 8,900 aircraft have been ordered and over 5,300 delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

 

Source: Airbus

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Yeah Flee, correct. The yet to be delivered -AQR also does not have Sharklets too.

Edited by Adrian M

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I believe that 9M-AQS does not have sharklets.

 

I wonder why?

 

Yeah Flee, correct. The yet to be delivered -AQR also does not have Sharklets too.

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It is still an A320-216. Not the NEO yet. Planned delivery of the NEO is probably in 2015.

 

Some website listed this as A320-216(WL). Is there such a model?

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haha..will boeing sue airbus like apple did??

 

Don't think so. They are way more matured and sensible than Apple.

Edited by Danial

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Don't think so. They are way more matured and sensible than Apple.

 

Actually Aviation Partners did file a lawsuit claiming Airbus copied their winglet design.

 

 

 

Aviation Partners seeks injunction on sharklet A320 sales

 

Aviation Partners has escalated a patent dispute with Airbus by asking a US court in Seattle to slap an injunction on all new sales of sharklet-equipped Airbus A320s.

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aviation-partners-seeks-injunction-on-sharklet-a320-sales-375243/

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AirAsia launch in Q4; may order 50 more Airbus jets: CEO

Asia's largest budget carrier, AirAsia (AIRA.KL), may order an additional 50 Airbus A320 jets on top of its existing record order for 475 of the Airbus model, Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said on Friday.

More reading: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/airasia-launchq4-may-order-50-more-airbus-jets-ceo_880906.html

 

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