Avianca has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 with Sharklets

Avianca (Colombia) A320-200 WL (05)(Flt)(Airbus)(LR)

Avianca (Colombia) (Bogota) has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped A320 becoming the first Latin American carrier to take benefit of the new fuel-saving wing-tip devices. A320-214 N477AV (msn 5477), powered by CFM engines, was delivered in Toulouse, France on February 12.

Sharklets are made from light-weight composites and are 2.4 meters tall. They are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft and allow Airbus’ airline customers to reduce fuel burn by up to four per cent and CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000 tons per aircraft and year. Sharklets offer operators the flexibility of either adding an additional 100 nautical miles range or increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Avianca currently operates 98 A320 Family aircraft, and has 70 on order with the option to be Sharklet equipped. Sharklets are standard on all members of the A320neo Family. In 2012, Avianca placed an order for 33 A320neo aircraft along with 18 incremental A320ceos. With nearly an all-Airbus fleet, AviancaTaca has purchased 190 aircraft and has a backlog of 74 Airbus aircraft.

Image: Airbus.

Avianca: AG Slide Show