SPAIN: Iberia Acquires Its First A350-900

Iberia has taken delivery of its first of 16 A350 XWB on order, becoming the 18th airline to operate the world’s newest and most efficient twin-engine widebody.

The aircraft is the first A350-900 to feature the latest performance improvement package including a wing twist, extended winglets and increased maximum takeoff weight capability, delivering unrivaled performance across Iberia’s network.

The aircraft is configured in a premium three-class layout, with 348 seats, including 31 full lie-flat bed Business, 24 Premium Economy and 293 Economy seats.

We are delighted to receive our first A350, an aircraft that represents perfectly the efficiency and modernity of the new Iberia, as well as the power and energy that brought us here, said Luis Gallego, President of Iberia.

If during these last years we transformed ourselves to survive, now we are transforming ourselves for excellence, a cycle change that this new aircraft represents so well.

We are tremendously proud of Airbus’ long-standing relationship with Iberia and to be delivering its first A350-900, said Tom Enders, Airbus CEO.

Iberia was a founding member airline of IAG, a group that with this delivery successfully operates every member of our commercial aircraft family, from the A318 to the largest A380 and now the most modern A350. Congratulations to the teams of Iberia and IAG.

The A350-900 will join Iberia’s all-Airbus fleet comprising more than 100 aircraft including Iberia Express, allowing them to leverage the full benefit of Airbus’ unique aircraft family commonality.

In order to reduce its carbon footprint, the A350 XWB delivery flight from Toulouse to Madrid is fuelled with a blend of sustainable jet fuel.

To date, Airbus has recorded 847 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 44 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.


Tourism Observer

GREECE: Greek Carrier Aegean Signs $5 Billion Order For 42 Airbus A320 neo Planes

Greece's largest carrier Aegean Airlines signed a $5 billion deal with Airbus for up to 42 aircraft to renew its fleet of single-aisle planes, stay competitive and add capacity for future expansion.

It is the largest order by a Greek carrier and third time Aegean has invested in new aircraft since launching operations 19 years ago.

Seeking to reduce maintenance and fuel costs, Aegean, a member of the Star Alliance airline group, had been considering the Airbus A320neo or Boeing's 737 MAX. It picked Airbus in late March.

I believe it is a good day for Greece with the news coming out of Brussels, but certainly a very good day for Aegean and Airbus, Airbus chief executive officer Tom Enders said at a signing ceremony at Aegean's technical base at Athens airport.

Earlier on Friday Greece reached an agreement with euro zone finance ministers, securing debt relief to smooth out its return to market financing after eight years of living mainly on loans from euro zone states.

We begin a new cycle of growth while reducing our operating cost, necessary in a globalised and competitive market, said Dimitris Gerogiannis, Aegean's CEO, adding the order was for up to 42 planes, including 10 A321s.

Aegean, which flies domestic and international routes, also owns former flag carrier Olympic Airlines, which was privatized in 2013. Most of its current leases need to be replaced between 2019 and 2023.

Last year, Aegean grew full-year net earnings by 87 per cent on an improved load factor and higher sales, riding a strong tourism year. In 2017 it flew a total of 13.2 million passengers.

While the new aircraft will offer 15 percent fuel savings, they are just the hardware, CEO Gerogiannis said. It is the quality, culture and efficiency of our people that gives us our competitive advantage, he said.

Aegean executives said the carrier will also invest 30 million euros ($35m) to build a new 12,000 square metre facility in Athens for flight and cabin crew training.


Tourism Observer