SilkAir expands fleet with additional A320 aircraft

Dec 21, 2006 10:12:26

20 December 2006 SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a contract for an additional 11 A320 aircraft, plus nine further options. The airline currently operates an all Airbus fleet of five A319s and eight A320s, with two additional A320 Family aircraft from an order in 2002 still to join the fleet. The new A320s will be deployed on the airline's steadily expanding route network across Asia, which currently extends to 26 destinations in 10 countries. "SilkAir is delighted to deepen its relationship with Airbus, as we take on more A320 family aircraft to meet our growth needs to 2012," said Mike Barclay Chief Executive of SilkAir. "We have been very satisfied with the performance of our A319 and A320 family aircraft since we began operating them in 1998, and we are pleased to once again select the A320 after a detailed competitive evaluation." "Over the past eight years, SilkAir has enjoyed the unbeatable combination of low operating costs and outstanding passenger appeal with its fleet of A320 Family aircraft. We are delighted to continue this partnership and contribute to SillkAir's expansion in the future," said Louis Gallois, President and CEO, Airbus. With more than 4,800 aircraft ordered and 2,900 delivered to 187 operators, the A318, A319, A320 and A321 make up the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. Designed to optimise revenue through cabin adaptability and passenger comfort and featuring the most modern and complete fly-by-wire technology available on any single-aisle aircraft, they ensure savings in every element of direct operating cost and provide operators with the highest degree of operational commonality and economy for aircraft in the 100-220 seat category. The A320 Family's optimised cabin cross-section - the widest single-aisle fuselage on the market - sets new standards for passenger cabin flexibility in this segment. It allows for top-of-the-range comfort with wider seats and aisles, or an extra-wide aisle for the fast turnarounds that are essential in the low-cost markets. Superior cabin size and shape allow larger overhead stowage to be fitted for faster boarding and deplaning as well as greater convenience. The A320 Family's impressive level of dispatch reliability further enhances profitability and passenger service. In addition, the A320 Family is an environmentally responsible neighbour, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprints in its class. Airbus is an EADS company.