Air Arabia takes delivery of Sharklet-equipped Airbus

28 January 2013

New technology promises greater fuel efficiency

The Sharjah-based low-cost airline Air Arabia has taken delivery of its first Sharklet-equipped Airbus 320 aircraft.

The sharklets are wing-tip devices made from light-weight materials and are designed to reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft.

They are an option on new-build Airbus A320 family aircraft and standard on all members of A320 new engine option (neo) family. Air Arabia is the first Middle Eastern airline to use the latest technology.

Air Arabia has received 15 of the 44 A320 aircraft it ordered from Airbus in 2007. The delivery of the remaining new aircraft will be completed by 2016 and will more than double the airline’s fleet. During 2013, it expects to take delivery of seven A320 aircraft.

Improving fuel efficiency on aircraft is a key priority for airlines across the globe. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner model was heralded as the next-generation aircraft, but has been plagued with safety and technical problems in recent months, with most airlines grounding their fleets in mid-January until such concerns have been resolved.

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