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September 12, 2012 - Airbus and the world’s
largest A320 customer AirAsia announced that the
airline will become the first operator of the
A320 with ‘Sharklets’ when they take delivery of
the first A320 equipped with these fuel-saving
wing-tip devices at the end of this year.
The aircraft exhibited on static and flying
display at the ILA Berlin Air Show is the flight
test aircraft for CFM engines and will also be
delivered to AirAsia in 2013.
In 2009 Airbus launched a new blended winglet
design which the company called a "sharklet",
designed to enhance the payload-range
performance of the A320 Family. Offered as a
retrofit option, sharklets are expected to
result in a reduced fuel burn of at least 3.5
percent over longer sectors, corresponding to an
annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tons per
aircraft. The A320 will be the first model
fitted with sharklets, which became available in
2012.
"The A320 has played a key role in our success,
enabling us to offer our passengers the lowest
fares possible and completely redefine short
haul travel in Asia.” said Tony Fernandes,
AirAsia Group CEO. “Now we are looking forward
to become the first airline in the world to
start operating this most fuel-efficient
aircraft.”
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