Air Arabia confirms purchase of ten additional Airbus A320 aircraft

The contract follows an earlier agreement for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft signed at the end of 2007.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said:

"Our vision is to be one of the world's leading LCCs in terms of profit margins, innovation, reputation and operational excellence, and having the A320 at the heart of our fleet is the best and quickest way we can achieve this."

"Following Air Arabia's expansion plans and the new hub in Morocco, expected to operate next year, expanding the fleet size is certainly a need. The Airbus A320 aircraft has an outstanding success record throughout the world and is ideal for our needs and those of our customers," Sheikh Abdulla added.

"We are pleased Air Arabia has once again confirmed their trust in our A320 family. With this decision, Air Arabia recognises the technological superiority of the A320, which also has the lowest operating costs in its class. The A320 also has the widest fuselage giving added operational efficiency and passenger comfort, including increased storage volume," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Air Arabia currently operates 16 (leased and owned) A320s and serves a network of 44 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Launched in October 2003 and based in Sharjah, Air Arabia has served more than 10 million passengers over the past five years.

The A320 family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft category. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range.

With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 family offers a containerised cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system.

Airbus is an EADS company.