Turkish Airlines, the biggest airline in Turkey, has signed a freelance for as much as 117 A320 Family aircraft (25 A321ceo, 4 A320neo, 53 A321neo and options for 35 additional A321neo aircraft). This order is the biggest ever placed by a Turkish carrier. The engine selection should be made at a later date.
“We are placing our biggest ever order with Airbus,” said Faruk Cizmecioglu, Chief Marketing Officer. “At Turkish Airlines our customers expect the only. The A320 Family with its economic benefits combined with superior cabin comfort will greatly contribute to fulfill our ambitious growth plans.”
“We are delighted with this new order from Turkish Airlines, which takes us above 2,000 NEO orders in a little bit over two years after launch” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “This order confirms that the NEO is the cheapest and profitable solution for airlines with ambitious growth plans. The 15 per cent fuel saving and the widest cabin in its class give Turkish Airlines a huge competitive advantage.”
Turkish Airlines already operates 75 A320 Family aircraft. The hot order may also help Turkish Airlines expand their short to medium-haul routes from their Istanbul hub, while the aircraft’s commonality with their existing Airbus fleet will generate additional cost-savings.
Incorporating new engines and enormous Sharklet wing tip devices, the A320neo Family will deliver fuel savings of 15 percent. Similarly, the A320neo Family will provide a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise. The A320neo will enter into service from late 2015, followed by the A319neo and A321neo in 2016.
More than 9,150 A320 Family aircraft were ordered and greater than 5,450 dropped at greater than 385 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position because the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft Family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it a simple fit into existing fleets while offering as much as 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.
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