Monday, November 10, 2008

Spain’s Marsans Signs for 61 Airbus Aircraft

Spain’s Marsans Signs for 61 Airbus Aircraft (NSI News Source Info) TOULOUSE, France - November 10, 2008: Grupo Marsans, the largest tourism and transport group in Spain and fourth in Europe, has signed a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 61 Airbus aircraft including four A380s, ten A350-900s, five A330-200s and 42 A320 Family aircraft (of which 12 A319s, 25 A320s and five A321s). These aircraft will be operated by Grupo Marsans’ subsidiary or related airlines. This new order adds to the previous order for 12 A330-200s and will bring Grupo Marsans’ total orders with Airbus to 73 aircraft. On the occasion of the announcement, Gonzalo Pascual, President of Grupo Marsans, said: "This important order allows Grupo Marsans to put into action its mid- and long-term development plan, to enhance our position on the short and long-haul sector by incorporating the most efficient aircraft available on the market today and tomorrow. In addition to the overall fleet enhancement this represents, we are particularly proud that, with the A380, we will become the first A380 customer and operator in Spain and Latin America.” “This order, which basically covers all our product range, including the most recent ones such as the A380 and A350, represents a major vote of confidence. It will allow Grupo Marsans to benefit from the operational commonality of the Airbus product range in the best way possible,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “With this purchase, Grupo Marsans, who control various airlines in Europe and Latin America, will have the most efficient and modern aircraft fleet available to further strengthen and develop their operations both within Spain, regionally and internationally”, he added. Being greener, cleaner, quieter and smarter, the A380 is already setting new standards for air transport and the environment. In addition to offering unequalled levels of passenger comfort, space and quietness in the cabin, the A380 has unmatched levels of operating costs and fuel efficiency, consuming less than three litres per passenger per 100 kilometres. Its new-generation engines and superb aerodynamic performance mean that the A380 not only complies with today’s noise limits, it is also significantly quieter than any other large aircraft flying today. With a range of 8 200 nm / 15 200 km, and seating 525 passengers in a standard three-class layout while being much more eco-efficient, the A380 is the ideal equipment to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports, while coping with growth. Including this contract, total firm orders for the aircraft now stand at 196 from 17 customers. The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout. The A350 XWB has the widest fuselage in its category, offering unprecedented levels of comfort, the lowest operating costs and lowest seat mile cost of any aircraft in this market segment. With power supplied by two new generation Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB Family is designed to confront the challenges of high fuel prices, rising passenger expectations, and environmental concerns. Total firm orders for the aircraft, including this contract, now stand at 463 from nearly 30 customers. With a true wide-body fuselage allowing very high comfort standards, the A330-200 is able to accommodate seat and class configurations to suit the diverse customer requirements. It has a range of up to 6,750 nm / 12,500 km with a full passenger load. Its large under-floor cargo holds can also carry standard pallets and containers side-by-side. It also has the excellent operational flexibility necessary to serve a wide range of route structures, providing operators with very low operating cost per seat. Its proven record of economy and superior passenger comfort provides operators with a significant competitive advantage in the market today. Orders for the A330 stand at around 1000. The A320 Family, which also includes the A318, A319 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark in the single-aisle aircraft market and has over 6,300 orders and more than 3,600 deliveries to its credit. Airbus is an EADS Company.

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