Day 4 of Paris Air Show 2013 was primarily marked by order announcements from Airbus. There haven’t been any significant new orders announced from other major manufacturers. Following a short summary.
United Airlines orders 35 A350-1000
United Airlines will add 35 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to its future fleet. The agreement represents a conversion of the U.S. carrier’s previous order for 25 A350-900s to the -1000 model, as well as the addition of 10 more orders for A350-1000 aircraft.
The A350-1000 is the largest version of the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) family and typically seats 350 passengers in a three-class layout. The aircraft is capable of flying 8,400 nautical miles non-stop and will be operated by United on higher density routes, including non-stop flights between the United States and the Asia/Pacific region. The aircraft will be powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines delivering 97,000lbs of thrust – the most powerful engines ever developed for an Airbus aircraft.
(c) Image: Airbus
Hong Kong Aviation Capital (HKAC) orders 60 A320neo
Hong Kong Aviation Capital (HKAC), a fast growing aircraft leasing company based in Hong Kong, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for the purchase of 40 A320neo and 20 A321neo aircraft. HKAC is a Hong Kong based lessor which currently has a portfolio of over 50 Airbus aircraft. It has provided financing leasing services to several airlines in Asia and worldwide. It’s the first time for HKAC to directly place orders with any aircraft manufacturer.
The A320neo incorporates new more fuel efficient engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together deliver up to 15 percent in fuel savings.
Spirit Airlines orders 20 Airbus A321
Spirit Airlines has placed a firm order for 20 Airbus A321 aircraft and additionally has opted to convert 10 of its existing A320 orders to the larger A321. All of these aircraft are current engine option (ceo) models. Spirit’s A321ceos will accommodate increasing passenger numbers in the airline’s network in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. All of the A321ceo aircraft will be fitted with fuel-saving Sharklets and will seat 219 passengers in a single-class layout.
The new Spirit A321s will also be the first North America-based aircraft to feature the Space-Flex cabin option. This rear lavatory and galley combination optimizes use of the available space at the very back of the aircraft. The configuration also allows for the first lavatory in the single-aisle market to be accessible to people with reduced mobility.
With this order announced today, Spirit’s firm orders total: 7 A319s, 98 A320s (including 45 A320 new engine option aircraft) and 30 A321s. The airline currently operates a fleet of some 50 Airbus A320 Family aircraft.