Air Arabia becomes first Middle East airline to operate A320 with Sharklets

UAE-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has taken the delivery of its first Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklets, becoming the first Middle East airline to operate the fuel-saving wing-tip.

Sharklets are an optional feature on the new-build A320 airliners and are standard on all the variants of the A320neo jets.

The wing-tip devices enabled carriers to reduce fuel burn by up to 4% on long-haul routes, according to Airbus.

Made from lightweight composites, the 2.4m tall sharklets offer the flexibility of adding about 100nm of range or increasing payload capability of up to 992lbs.

The new aeroplane was put into service across Air Arabia’s network of 82 destinations.

Air Arabia Group chief executive officer Adel Ali said that the new wing tip devices would contribute to the carrier’s aim of becoming one of the world’s most efficient and low-cost airlines.

Airbus COO Customers John Leahy said: "As a strong advocate for the A320 family, it is fitting that Air Arabia has become the first carrier in the region to benefit from the 4% fuel saving our new Sharklets deliver."

To date, Air Arabia has received 15 aircraft from the order placed in 2007 for 44 A320s.

Delivery of all the aeroplanes is expected to be complete by 2016, which will more than double the carrier’s fleet.

The low-cost airline expects to receive seven new A320 airliners by the end of this year.

In April 2011, Air Arabia selected Sharklets for 28 of 44 A320 aircraft ordered.

Earlier this month, Philippines budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) received delivery of its first Airbus A320 equipped with Sharklets.

So far, Airbus has received more than 9,000 orders for A320 jetliners, with 5,400 having already been delivered to more than 380 customers and operators worldwide.

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Image: Air Arabia expects to receive seven A320s by the end of 2013. Photo: Airbus SAS 2013.