India-based Go Airlines (GoAir) has received its first Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklets, becoming the second Indian carrier to operate the fuel-saving wing-tip after low-cost carrier IndiGo.
GoAir, a wholly owned by the Wadia Group, has funded for the new aircraft through a sale and leaseback agreement with aircraft lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG).
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The new aeroplane, which will be added to ACG’s portfolio of A320s, is also a part of a firm order placed by the low-cost carrier for 20 A320ceo in 2006.
To date, GoAir has taken delivery of 13 airliners and the new A320 with Sharklets marks the 14th, while the remaining six aeroplanes on order will also be equipped with Sharklets.
The airline has also placed an order for 72 A320neo jetliners in 2011.
GoAir chief executive officer Giorgio De Roni said that the addition of Sharklet to the airlines’ fuel efficient aircraft would add further efficiency.
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By GlobalData"Our investment in the every latest technology like Sharklets, and also the A320neo, is a demonstration of our commitment to our customers and to the growth of our valued airline," Roni added.
Airbus stated that due to high demand for Sharklets, all its single-aisle final assembly lines (FALs) will be involved in assembling A320 family airliners with Sharklets.
Located in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Tianjin, China, these FALs will be followed by an additional mobile FAL in Alabama, US.
Sharklets are an optional feature on the new-build A320 aeroplanes and are standard on all variants of the A320neo jets, while offering the flexibility of adding about 100nm of range or increased payload capability of up to 992lbs. They deliver a reduction of up to 4% in fuel burn.
Earlier this week, IndiGo has taken the delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets from Airbus.
Airbus has to date received more than 9,000 orders for A320 jetliners, with 5,400 having already been delivered to more than 380 customers and operators globally.
Image: The new A320 with Sharklets is a part of the firm order placed by GoAir in 2006. Photo: courtesy of P Masclet / Airbus SAS.
