Aegean Airlines, the fast-growing Greek airline, has placed a firm order for eight A320s, with options for an additional twelve A320 family aircraft.

The new A320s will replace older aircraft in Aegean's fleet, and also be used for expansion on both domestic and international routes from the airline's main bases at Athens and Thessaloniki. Aegean's scheduled European operations include code-share routes with Lufthansa and Italy's Air One.

Aegean selected the A320 over its competitor after a lengthy and detailed evaluation. The airline's A320s will be equipped with a comfortable two-class layout, and be powered by IAE V2500 engines.

Theodoros Vassilakis, President and Managing Director of Aegean Airlines, underlined that “the choice of Airbus A320 Family is a strategic one for us. The A320 is the leader in comfort, technology and efficiency among single aisle aircraft. The choices within the A320 family offer flexibility for our future growth. With this investment Aegean will have the youngest fleet in our region to further support our commitment of quality to our customers."

"We are very proud to welcome this dynamic airline as a new customer", said Gustav Humbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus. "Golden Award winner of the year 2004/5, this successful airline has again been elected 2005/6 Silver "Award Airline of the Year" by the European Regions Airline Association. We wish Aegean Airlines an even more successful future, driven by the most modern Airbus aircraft Family."

The Airbus A320 Family is the first choice of airlines worldwide, and the market's fastest selling aircraft family. More than 3760 aircraft have been ordered to date to over 140 customers and operators fly the A320 around the world. Its cabin has been elected most comfortable cabin by independent surveys, as passengers prefer the greater space and comfort offered by the A320 Family cabin, including its wider seats. It also offers excellent economics and extensive commonality with other Airbus aircraft. It is the only single aisle, fly-by-wire technology aircraft in the market.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, 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 and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.

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