Shenzhen Airlines receives its first two A319s

Shenzhen Airlines has taken delivery of its first two Airbus A319s today, becoming a new operator of this aircraft type in China. Powered by CFM International's CFM56-5B engines, the aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout, which will provide spacious space for 128 passengers.

The first two A319s with Shenzhen Airlines’ livery departed Hamburg, Germany on February 16 and landed successfully at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 2 p.m. on February 17. They will be put into service on the routes linking Shenzhen and other major cities in China, including some new and high-altitude routes.

"Airbus' A320 Family features the newest and most modern design of any single-aisle airliner," said Shenzhen Airlines Chairman Zhao Xiang, "we received our first Airbus aircraft, an Airbus A320, in May 2005 and today we are delighted to become a new operator of the Airbus A319 in China. Selection of the new A319 is part of our strategy for the further expansion of our fleet and the extension of our air networks. The new A319 aircraft will also help us open new and high-altitude routes in the future."

Founded in 1992, Shenzhen Airlines operates out of the Bao'an International Airport in the city of Shenzhen, with air links to more than 90 domestic and international destinations.

"We are delighted to see two A319s join the A320 as part of fleet of Shenzhen Airlines," said Gustav Humbert, Airbus President and CEO, "and we look forward to developing an even closer relationship with the airline as the size of the A320 fleet of Shenzhen Airlines continues to grow in the future. We wish Shenzhen Airlines great success with these two A319s in service."

Comprising the A318, the A319, the A320 and the A321, the A320 Family has become the most successful and best-selling aircraft family in the world. By the end of 2005, firm orders for the Airbus A320 Family stood at some 4,300 aircraft, more than 2,600 of which have been delivered.

The A319, first delivered in April 1996, continues to prove its versatility, enabling carriers to benefit from its range options and seat layout flexibility. In addition to the standard 124-seat model, which has a range of up to 6,800 km/3,700 nm, Airbus offers an option, allowing increased seating efficiency with typically up to 156 seats.

The first A319 on the Chinese Mainland made a successful demonstration flight over Tibet International Airport in 2001. Since then, it has been widely selected by the Chinese airlines and been regarded as "the Mountain Goat", which has been used to serve mainly on the high-altitude routes. Currently, six Chinese Mainland airlines operate nearly 70 A319s, accounting for more than one fourth of all 247 in-service Airbus aircraft on the Chinese Mainland.

With an annual turnover of €22.3 billion in 2005, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China, Japan and Middle East. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE Systems.

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