easyJet receives first Airbus A319

Low-cost carrier easyJet received its first Airbus A319 today. It is the first aircraft from a 120 unit order placed the carrier at the end of last year. easyJet will receive five A319s this year, all of which will be based at its subsidiary easyJet Switzerland in Geneva. The remaining aircraft will be delivered to the UK carrier by the end of 2007. All aircraft will be powered by CFM-56-5B engines from CFM international.

The A319 is a member of Airbus’ single-aisle Family, comprising the A318, A319, A320 and A321 and has a seat capacity between 107 and 220 seats. It is the fastest selling aircraft family with nearly 3,100 sold so far.

The A320 Family offers a range of essential benefits to low cost airlines: Wider aisles and full-scale service doors, as well as a bigger, more accessible cargo area enabling faster turnaround times. Furthermore the A320 Family aircraft are equipped with the biggest overhead storage space in their class for more convenient storage of modern roll-aboard luggage. In easyJet’s chosen configuration the A319 has 156 seats in a comfortable single-class layout.

Low-cost airlines also enjoy the outstanding economics of the A320 Family, achieved through more modern technology and lower maintenance costs. The demanding environment in which these airlines operate has furthermore proven Airbus’ excellent reliability and suitability to the low cost market. As well as proving a firm favourite with operators the A320 Family is also delighting passengers, invariably coming top in independent surveys, as well as investors, consistently leading in financial and operator polls, highlighting the operational efficiency and stable residual value.

"The easyJet business model is based on flying from convenient local airports to some of Europe’s most popular and attractive destinations and the A319 will enable us to continue to offer this unique mix saving passengers both time and money for many years to come," said Ray Webster, easyJet Chief Executive Officer.

"We are delighted to hand over the first A319 to easyJet today. As a member of the renowned A320 Family, it is the right choice for easyJet and for the low-cost market. It offers an unmatched combination of low seat mile costs and reduced financial risk for airlines," said Noël Forgeard, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. "With nearly 350 A320 Family aircraft in operation and on order for the European low-fare industry, Airbus is the clear market leader in this segment," he added.

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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