Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it has signed a contract with Airbus for 10 additional A320 aircraft. The contract follows an earlier agreement for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft signed at the end of 2007. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia, said: “Our vision is to be one of the world's leading LCCs in terms of profit margins, innovation, reputation and operational excellence, and having the A320 at the heart of our fleet is the best and quickest way we can achieve this.” “Following Air Arabia's expansion plans and the new hub in Morocco, expected to operate next year, expanding the fleet size is certainly a need. The Airbus A320 aircraft has an outstanding success record throughout the world and is ideal for our needs and those of our customers,” Sheikh Abdullah added. “We are pleased Air Arabia has once again confirmed their trust in our A320 family. With this decision, Air Arabia recognises the technological superiority of the A320, which also has the lowest operating costs in its class. The A320 also has the widest fuselage giving added operational efficiency and passenger comfort, including increased storage volume,” said John Leahy, Airbus chief operating officer, Customers. Air Arabia currently operates 16 (leased and owned) A320s and serves a network of 44 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Launched in October 2003 and based in Sharjah, Air Arabia has served more than 10 million passengers over the past five years. The A320 family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft category. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system. Chief Executive Adel Ali said the deal was in addition to the $3.5 billion aircraft order it made for 34 A-320 jets at the Dubai Airshow in November 2007. “We have increased the order to 44 ... delivery has been brought forward from 2012 to mid-2010,” Adel Ali said. The 10 additional aircraft were needed for the Morocco expansion, Ali said. The new hub is due to begin operating early next year giving the airline access to Africa and Europe. __
