Article Posted on : - Sep 10, 2008

TRIPOLI, Libya (BNS): Afriqiyah Airways, a Libyan airline, has a new plane in its fleet. It has received the first medium range Airbus A319. The new airline had placed an order for three A319s in 2006. Along with A319s, it had ordered 11 A320s and three long range A330-200s. The European aviation giant has already delivered two A320s. The airline is on an expansion spree and also signed a contract for six A350XWB aircraft to augment its international long haul operations.

It will complete the all-Airbus fleet of the airline which operates from Tripoli. The airline covers a wide range of destination in Europe like Paris, Brussels, Geneva, London, Rome and Amsterdam. It flies regularly to North, West and Central Africa besides making trips to the Middle East. The Airbus has configured the A319 aircraft in a 124 seat format. It will have two classes and powered by CFM56-5B engines.

“After having received our A320s which are doing extremely well in our fleet, we are very much looking forward to continue this excellent track record with the A319. With its low operating costs and high passenger comfort these aircraft are a key tool in our long term strategy to further develop our market position,” Captain Sabri, CEO of Afriqiyah Airways said. “The commonality of all Airbus aircraft gives us the flexibility to interchange the aircraft according to our needs, to optimise operations and maintenance,” Sabri said.

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, added: “Since Afriqiyah Airways first entered the market in 2001, this airline has experienced an impressive increase in routes and passengers. We are delighted to be part of that and congratulate Afriqiyah on their successful growth strategy. With the A330 and the A350 deliveries to follow, we are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

The A320 family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range, said the Airbus. Around 6,300 Airbus A320 family aircraft have been sold and more than 3,500 delivered to some 280 customers and operators worldwide, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. 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.

Afriqiyah airline came into existence in 2001 and is not best known for its service. It is owned by the Libyan government and started operations with Boeing 737-400. But now it has all Airbus fleet.