Spirit Airlines signs commitment for 75 Airbus A320Family jets

Spirit Airlines and Airbus signed today at the Dubai Airshow a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 75 single-aisle aircraft, comprising 45 A320neo aircraft (new engine option) and 30 A320s. The engine selection will be announced later.

The new aircraft will be used on Spirit’s targeted growth markets in the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. The A320neo will help build on the great economic success the airline has already enjoyed with their existing all-Airbus fleet of 35 A320 Family aircraft

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Airbus and grow our fleet into the next decade,” said Ben Baldanza, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. “Spirit Airlines’ low fares require an efficient, reliable aircraft and the A320 Family, including the neo, fits that model well.”

“The A320 and A320neo continue to set the pace,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The unrivalled economics of these aircraft convinced Spirit to go all-Airbus and that decision has clearly paid off since for the airline.”

The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload. The A320neo reduces fuel burn by 15%, which is equivalent to 1.4m litres of fuel – the consumption of 1000 mid size cars. This saves 3600 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft per year, the amount of CO2 absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo aircraft also has a considerably smaller noise footprint.

Including today’s announcement, firm orders and commitments for the A320neo, launched less than a year ago in December 2010, already exceed 1,300 from 23 customers and makes the aircraft the fastest selling airliner ever.

AIRBUS