Airbus reaches 10,000 orders, sells first eco-friendly jet
Posted on Friday 21 January 2011
in Virgin Atlantic
Jet manufacturer Airbus reached an important milestone in its history after Virgin America made an order for 60 new aircraft, which marked the company's 10,000th order.
Delivery of the new Airbus planes will begin in 2013 and will gradually extend through 2019. Half of Virgin's purchase, which will increase the airline's fleet threefold, was for the manufacturer's A320neo jet with a fuel-saving engine. This also marks the first time that a commercial carrier has made such an order.
"We hit our 5,000th order in August of 2004 – after more than 30 years. To achieve the 10,000th order just over six years later is a ringing endorsement of our product line," Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, said in a press release. "To do so with Virgin America, one of our newest and trendiest customers, is very fitting. The fact that this milestone also embraces the first firm order for our new, eco-efficient A320neo is also very inspiring."
Using specialized wing-tipped "sharklets," among other eco-friendly features, the earth-friendly aircraft may save more than $1 million per jet and could reduce its carbon emissions by 3,600 tons.
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