Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second largest airline, has signed a firm order for eight A320neo aircraft following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August at the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2011 in Moscow. The A320neo (new engine option) is an efficiency improvement package offering up to 15 percent fuel savings on the A320 Family.

Transaero Airlines is planning to operate the aircraft on its extended medium-haul network of domestic and international routes as part of its expansion strategy and fleet renewal programme. The engine selection will be announced by the airline at a later date.

Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines CEO, said, “This order for the A320neo confirms Transaero’s ambition to become the first operator of this aircraft type in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe. These newest aircraft will enable us to offer maximum comfort to our passengers, while their high fuel efficiency will help us make air transportation affordable for wider audience. “

“Transaero is an exceptionally forward looking and pioneering airline in Russia and we are delighted to play such a significant role in the company’s future strategy.” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “In a fiercely competitive market this is a great endorsement for our eco-efficient, passenger pleasing A320neo aircraft.”

Over 8,100 A320 Family aircraft have already been ordered and more than 4,800 delivered to more than 340 customers and operators worldwide reaffirming its position as the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. The A320neo has over 95 percent airframe commonality with the current A320, making it an easy fit into existing fleets while offering up to 500 nautical miles (950 kilometres) more range or two tonnes more payload at a given range.

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. This reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4m litres of fuel – the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars.  This saves 3,600 metric tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year, the amount absorbed by 240,000 mature trees. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6 and this aircraft also has a considerably smaller noise footprint.

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