avrodriver
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Skybus Commits to Purchase 65 Airbus Jets
Thursday October 26, 6:00 am ET
-- Low cost base, reliability cited in acquisition of A319s --
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Skybus Airlines -- the Next Generation of Low-Fare Airlines -- announced today it has signed a firm contract to purchase 65 Airbus A319 jet aircraft. Skybus will launch nonstop service to major U.S. markets from its Port Columbus base of operations in the spring of 2007.
"We've carried out extensive research to ensure this aircraft can deliver our mission -- really low fares and very reliable service," said Bill Diffenderffer, Skybus Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the lower cost base and reliability of the A319, coupled with our unique way of doing business, will make for an unbeatable offering for our customers as we grow our business and offer more low-fare destinations."
The first of these A319s will be delivered in late 2008. As it builds an all-Airbus fleet, Skybus has already arranged for leased A319s to meet its aircraft needs prior to the arrival of the purchased aircraft.
"The Airbus A319 is a 'state of the art' aircraft with the latest electronics and flight instrument equipment," said Ken Gile, Skybus President. "It fits perfectly with our business model, which includes high utilization of aircraft and quick turnaround times on the ground."
Airbus officials said the Skybus order was among the largest ever received from a startup U.S.-based carrier.
"It is exciting to get in on the ground floor of such a promising operation as Skybus," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. "It has been a few years since an order of this meaning and magnitude has come from a low-cost start-up airline, and we are professionally flattered that Skybus has turned to the A319 as the core of its fleet. It's a true testament to the airline's confidence in our product and our people."
The A319 program was launched in 1993, with the first aircraft entering service in 1996. The A319 is the third derivative in the popular Airbus A320 family, which has generated firm orders for more than 4,500 aircraft from 166 customers.
The standard A319 seats 124 passengers. Skybus has not announced the specific seating configuration of its aircraft, but the airline will use a single-class configuration for all of its flights.
Financial terms of the order were not announced.
Thursday October 26, 6:00 am ET
-- Low cost base, reliability cited in acquisition of A319s --
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Skybus Airlines -- the Next Generation of Low-Fare Airlines -- announced today it has signed a firm contract to purchase 65 Airbus A319 jet aircraft. Skybus will launch nonstop service to major U.S. markets from its Port Columbus base of operations in the spring of 2007.
"We've carried out extensive research to ensure this aircraft can deliver our mission -- really low fares and very reliable service," said Bill Diffenderffer, Skybus Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the lower cost base and reliability of the A319, coupled with our unique way of doing business, will make for an unbeatable offering for our customers as we grow our business and offer more low-fare destinations."
The first of these A319s will be delivered in late 2008. As it builds an all-Airbus fleet, Skybus has already arranged for leased A319s to meet its aircraft needs prior to the arrival of the purchased aircraft.
"The Airbus A319 is a 'state of the art' aircraft with the latest electronics and flight instrument equipment," said Ken Gile, Skybus President. "It fits perfectly with our business model, which includes high utilization of aircraft and quick turnaround times on the ground."
Airbus officials said the Skybus order was among the largest ever received from a startup U.S.-based carrier.
"It is exciting to get in on the ground floor of such a promising operation as Skybus," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer. "It has been a few years since an order of this meaning and magnitude has come from a low-cost start-up airline, and we are professionally flattered that Skybus has turned to the A319 as the core of its fleet. It's a true testament to the airline's confidence in our product and our people."
The A319 program was launched in 1993, with the first aircraft entering service in 1996. The A319 is the third derivative in the popular Airbus A320 family, which has generated firm orders for more than 4,500 aircraft from 166 customers.
The standard A319 seats 124 passengers. Skybus has not announced the specific seating configuration of its aircraft, but the airline will use a single-class configuration for all of its flights.
Financial terms of the order were not announced.
