EUROPEAN aircraft manufacturer Airbus has announced the delivery of its 500th A321 ever produced. The aircraft was handed over to Air France at Airbus' delivery centre in Hamburg.
The single-aisle, 174-passenger-seater and containerised cargo aircraft is the largest member of Airbus' best selling A320 group of jetliners.
"Air France was the first airline to operate the A320 and in our 75th anniversary year we are pleased to be receiving the 500th A321, the largest member of the family. Air France was also the first major airline to operate all four members of the A320 Family in 2003 and they have served us on our medium-haul network and will continue to do so", said Pierre Vellay, senior VP of new aircraft and corporate fleet planning at Air France.
"We are delighted that Air France continues to renew its medium-haul fleet with A321s," said John Leahy, Airbus CEO of customers. "Airbus invests around EUR100 million (US$128.3 million) every year to keep the A320 the most eco-efficient single aisle aircraft in the world."
The first A321 was delivered in 1994 to the Air France group. Worldwide, Airbus has sold more than 750 x A321s to around 65 customers, it said.
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