Airbus inaugurates Hamburg’s fourth A320 Family production line

·        New standard in digitalisation and automation, driving efficiency

·        Key enabler in Airbus’ single-aisle ramp-up

Airbus has inaugurated the fourth Hamburg A320 Family production line. Making use of digital technologies and a more flexible industrial set-up, the innovative state-of-the-art line is a key enabler for ramping up the single aisle programme to 60 aircraft per month by mid-2019.

Frank Horch, Hamburg’s Senator of Economy, Transport and Innovation and Thomas Jarzombek, Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, witnessed the milestone together with Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft, and 500 distinguished guests at a special ceremony in Hamburg.

“The inauguration of our latest, most modern A320 production line opens a new chapter in efficient, digital aircraft manufacturing,” said Guillaume Faury. “With these new technologies we are building our aircraft more efficiently, a key enabler for higher production rates. I would like to thank the teams, who pushed this newest Airbus production standard from concept to reality.”

With more than 14,000 A320ceo and A320neo Family aircraft ordered and over 8,100 delivered, the A320 is the world’s most successful single-aisle aircraft family. Incorporating the latest state-of-the-art technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, the A320neo Family provides 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. To date the A320neo Family has captured nearly a 60 percent market share with more than 6,000 orders from 100 customers.

The A320 Family aircraft are manufactured globally, at Airbus sites in Europe, China and the US. In addition to the new production line, Airbus also inaugurated a larger and modernised Hamburg A320 Family delivery centre with more customer areas, more efficient delivery processes and increased hospitality services.

Philippine Airlines takes delivery of its first A321neo aircraft

Bringing new levels of efficiency and comfort for the carrier’s regional network

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first A321neo aircraft in Hamburg, Germany.

This is the first of 21 A321neo aircraft ordered by the airline under its fleet renewal programme. Powered by Pratt and Whitney Pure Power engines, the new aircraft features a premium two class layout with 12 business class seats and 154 seats in the main cabin.

Selected for its outstanding operational efficiency, comfort and range, Philippine Airlines will deploy the A321neo aircraft across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and India.

The A321neo joins an existing Airbus fleet at Philippine Airlines that currently includes 25 A320ceo Family aircraft, 15 widebody A330s and five A340s. The carrier will also take delivery of the first of six A350-900 widebody aircraft on order later this year.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets, which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With more than 6,000 orders received from 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured nearly 60 percent share of the market.

Drukair opts for the A320neo

Unmatched performance for high altitude airports

Drukair, the flag carrier of Eastern Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, has signed a purchase agreement for one A320neo to support its growth plans and complement its existing fleet of three A319s. The aircraft will be powered by CFM Leap-1A26E1 engines optimized for high altitude operations and will become the largest aircraft operating out of Drukair’s base in Paro.

Paro, located at an altitude of 7,300 feet and surrounded by high mountains, is one of the world’s most challenging airports. Thanks to the A320neo’s unmatched performance it will become the largest aircraft to operate from Paro offering greater payload capabilities and highest passenger comfort levels than any other product.

Featuring a two class cabin layout, the aircraft will be deployed to increase capacity on existing regional routes to Singapore, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi and, Calcutta.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklets which together deliver at least 15 percent fuel savings at delivery and 20 percent by 2020. With some 6,000 orders received from nearly 100 customers, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 percent share of the market.