Garuda Indonesia finalises order for 25 A320 Family aircraft

Eco-efficient aircraft to be operated by low cost unit Citilink

9 August 2011

Garuda Indonesia has finalised an order with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A320 Family aircraft, firming up an MOU announced during the Paris Air Show in June. The order makes Garuda Indonesia a new A320 Family customer and covers 15 standard A320s and 10 A320neo aircraft for operation by the carrier’s low cost unit Citilink. The airline will announce its engine selection for the aircraft in the near future.

“This order will ensure that Citilink is equipped to realise its full potential,” said Emirsyah Satar, President & CEO, Garuda Indonesia. “We are confident that these modern, eco-efficient aircraft will enable us to win an important share of the fast-growing budget market in Indonesia, while providing our passengers with a high quality product.”

“We are pleased to welcome Garuda Indonesia as a new customer for the A320 Family,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “Citilink will benefit from the proven reliability, passenger appeal and low operating costs that make the A320 Family the single aisle market leader. We look forward to providing the airline with every support as they introduce their new fleet.”

The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle product line. Close to 7,700 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and over 4,700 delivered to more than 330 customers and operators worldwide. The A320neo will have over 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing models, enabling it to fit seamlessly into existing A320 Family fleets.

Featuring the latest engines and new wing-tip devices called “sharklets”, the A320neo will offer 15 percent in fuel savings and additional payload or range capability. The fuel savings will represent some 3,600 tonnes less CO2 per aircraft, per year. In addition, the A320neo will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.

Source and image: Airbus