Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways orders 78 A320neo narrow-body passenger jets in 106-plane Airbus order

MELBOURNE, Australia, 22 Aug. 2011. Jetstar Airways in Melbourne, Australia, is ordering at least 106 Airbus A320 narrow-body passenger jetliners from Airbus in Toulouse, France. The order includes 78 of the future fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo jets. Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas Airways in Sydney, Australia, is a low-cost airline that specializes in economy flights within Australia, and between Australia and Asia. The A320neo is scheduled to enter service in 2015.The A320neo, which stands for new engine option, will have fuel-efficient engines and upturned winglets, which Airbus calls "sharklets," to make the most of aerodynamic efficiency. The A320neo will be able to seat as many as 150 passengers in a two-class arrangement, and as many as 180 passengers with high-density seating.Jetstar officials chose the Airbus aircraft as part of its plan to build a fleet of fuel-efficient aircraft. "The A320 family’s outstanding operational efficiency and comfort, paired with its environmental credentials, make it the right choice," says Alan Joyce, chief executive officer of Jetstar parent company Qantas Airways.

Airbus has taken orders for more than 7,800 A320 family aircraft, of which 4,700 have been delivered to more than 330 aircraft operators worldwide, Airbus officials say. The A320neo has at least 95 percent airframe commonality with the existing A320 aircraft, yet will have as much as 500 nautical miles more range or two tonnes more payload. The A320neo will have either from CFM International LEAP-X engine or Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G engine.

Qantas will make its engine decision at a later date. Airbus has received more than 1,200 A320neo orders and commitments since the aircraft's launch in December 2010.

For more information contact Jetstar Airways online at www.jetstar.com, or Airbus at www.airbus.com.

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