Spanish airline, Air Europa, becomes first airline to order the new Airbus A350-800 planes
The Spanish airline, Air Europa has become the first airline to commit
to the Airbus A350-800, after signing a Memorandum of Understanding for
10 aircraft and 2 further options.
Air Europa expects the aircraft ordered to be delivered between 2010 and
2012. Air Europa has selected GEnx engines from GE Aircraft Engines for
and will use a configuration of 300 to 330 seats.
As part of Air Europa’s plans to renew and expand its current fleet, it
has signed a contract to receive one A340-200 leased from Airbus in
2005, and intends to lease two new A330-200's early in 2006.
Complementing the existing Airbus 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 (15,900
km), new generation engines, providing some 12 per cent 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 optimise
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.
Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus
expressed pleasure at the Air Europa announcement. "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. 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."
8th January 2005
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