TOULOUSE (FRANCE): Low-cost carrier AirAsia Bhd has become the first operator in the world to fly the Airbus A320 equipped with new fuel-saving wing-tip devices.
The newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft.
AirAsia chief executive officer Aireen Omar said being the first airline in the world to operate the Airbus A320 with sharklet wing tips would help drive costs further down and enable the airline to optimise revenues, helping to maintain its low-cost leadership status.
The sharklet wing tips would be fitted on previously ordered, newly built Airbus A320s for the low-cost carrier. The sharklets would cut fuel bills by about 4% per aircraft annually and could either increase range by about 100 nautical miles (185km) or allow a payload increase of up to 450kg.
“Cost is always a key focus for the AirAsia Group, which has seen other key initiatives throughout the year such as our recent relocation of operations in Thailand to a dedicated low-cost terminal,” she said after taking delivery of the first Airbus A320 with sharklets at the Airbus Delivery Centre here on Dec 21.
She said the savings from the reduced fuel consumption would, in turn, reduce the airline's cost structure by a certain amount.
“There are other parameters involved but out hope is to translate the reduced cost to lower airfares for our customers,” she said.
Airbus sales, marketing and strategy executive vice president Kiran Rao said the launch of the aircraft marked yet another milestone in the special relationship between Airbus and AirAsia.
“It's also an important day for the Airbus A320 program, heralding even lower operating costs and greater efficiencies for the airline.
“Last week, we announced the deal for 100 A320 aircraft with AirAsia, 36 with current-generation engines, and 64 with new-generation engines, reaffirming the carrier's position as the world's largest A320 family customer,” he said.
He said altogether, the airline has now ordered 475 single-aisle aircraft from Airbus, which is quite sizeable, considering the airline only began operations just over 11 years ago.
“We are extremely proud that our aircraft have played a role in AirAsia's success, providing the efficiencies and reliability required to keep the airline's costs as low as possible. These costs are about to get even lower with the introduction of the sharklets,” he said, adding that the new fuel-saving wing-tip device represented the next phase in the ongoing development of the A320 family.
The newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft.
AirAsia chief executive officer Aireen Omar said being the first airline in the world to operate the Airbus A320 with sharklet wing tips would help drive costs further down and enable the airline to optimise revenues, helping to maintain its low-cost leadership status.
The sharklet wing tips would be fitted on previously ordered, newly built Airbus A320s for the low-cost carrier. The sharklets would cut fuel bills by about 4% per aircraft annually and could either increase range by about 100 nautical miles (185km) or allow a payload increase of up to 450kg.
“Cost is always a key focus for the AirAsia Group, which has seen other key initiatives throughout the year such as our recent relocation of operations in Thailand to a dedicated low-cost terminal,” she said after taking delivery of the first Airbus A320 with sharklets at the Airbus Delivery Centre here on Dec 21.
She said the savings from the reduced fuel consumption would, in turn, reduce the airline's cost structure by a certain amount.
“There are other parameters involved but out hope is to translate the reduced cost to lower airfares for our customers,” she said.
Airbus sales, marketing and strategy executive vice president Kiran Rao said the launch of the aircraft marked yet another milestone in the special relationship between Airbus and AirAsia.
“It's also an important day for the Airbus A320 program, heralding even lower operating costs and greater efficiencies for the airline.
“Last week, we announced the deal for 100 A320 aircraft with AirAsia, 36 with current-generation engines, and 64 with new-generation engines, reaffirming the carrier's position as the world's largest A320 family customer,” he said.
He said altogether, the airline has now ordered 475 single-aisle aircraft from Airbus, which is quite sizeable, considering the airline only began operations just over 11 years ago.
“We are extremely proud that our aircraft have played a role in AirAsia's success, providing the efficiencies and reliability required to keep the airline's costs as low as possible. These costs are about to get even lower with the introduction of the sharklets,” he said, adding that the new fuel-saving wing-tip device represented the next phase in the ongoing development of the A320 family.
No comments:
Post a Comment