July 09, 2012 – Farnborough, UK (Techreleased) – Arkia Israeli Airlines, the second biggest – Israeli airline signed today a purchase agreement for four A321neos at the Farnborough International Airshow. This order makes the airline a new Airbus customer and the first airline in Israel to order the A320 neo Family. Engine selection will be announced at a later date
The aircraft will be configured in a single all economy class seating 220 passengers. The flexibility and range capabilities of the A321 neo will allow Arkia to operate their new aircraft on expanding routes to European and domestic destinations.
“The A321neo is a perfect fit for our strategy to efficiently grow in both international and domestic markets and is the ideal, cost effective solution to our fleet needs” said Gadi Tepper Chief Executive Officer of Arkia. “The A321neo will bring new levels of comfort to our passengers whilst creating value for our shareholders.”
“Following an intensive study Arkia found the A321neo and its proposed engines as the most suitable to it’s needs and economics, The re-fleeting project will also expand the scope of Arkia’s current maintenance activities in the region,” says Nir Dagan, Executive Vice President, Arkia.
“We are very pleased to welcome Arkia as a new Airbus customer” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The A320neo family offers exceptional performance, flexibility and a 15% reduction in fuel consumption benefitting both the airline and the environment. It’s the natural choice in the short to medium range market.”
The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6, and this aircraft also has a considerably smaller noise footprint.
Over 8,500 A320 Family aircraft have been ordered and more than 5,100 delivered to more than 365 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft Family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.
