Kingfisher Airlines Increases Airbus A320 Commitment
Toulouse, 18 December 2004
Kingfisher Airlines, India’s new value-based carrier, has signed a contract with Airbus for 4 A320s and exercised 6 options making a total of 10 firm aircraft. In addition, Kingfisher Airlines will take 20 additional options making a total of 30 aircraft. It has also concluded an agreement to lease 4 A320s from debis Airfinance.
Deliveries of the leased aircraft are due to begin in April 2005, while those of the ordered aircraft will start in September 05. All of the aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines V2500s.
Each of Kingfisher’s A320s will seat 174 passengers in a single-class layout and for the first time in India, personal video screens will be fitted in the back of each seat.
“We are going to be offering our passengers more than just value based fares, we will offer a complete lifestyle experience,” says Dr Vijay Mallya, Chairman of UB Group, one of India’s largest companies and the parent company of Kingfisher Airlines. “The Airbus A320’s wider seats, modern design and lower operating costs are key to this approach.”
“The orders and leases for Airbus A320s that we are announcing today are just the start of what will soon be a fleet of more than 30 aircraft, allowing Kingfisher to expand its ‘fly the good times’ approach to all of the major cities in India,” he adds.
Airbus’ A320 family is the acknowledged technological leader in the single-aisle class, with advanced features such as fuel-saving wingtip fences, weight-saving composites, and the reliability that comes from its modern design and ease of maintenance. It also consistently leads in independent passenger and operator surveys.
“As the low-cost airline business expands, so does the variety of marketing approaches, giving passengers greater choice and convenience,” says Airbus President and CEO Noël Forgeard, “and it is very gratifying to see the Airbus A320 Family emerging as a common factor ”.
Airbus’ A320 family is the most successful aircraft family in the world, having been chosen by more than 180 customers and operators around the world, including both traditional and low-cost carriers. Firm orders for the Airbus A320 family stand at almost 3,300 aircraft, more than 2,300 of which have been delivered.
Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.
Contacts:
| Airbus S.A.S. | http://www.airbus.com mailto: media@airbus.com |
