Aviation News Item: 00124

16th Nov 2009

Source: ubmaviationnews.com

Airbus has launched a new large wingtip device, which can increase payload-range performance and reduce CO2 emissions by 3.5 per cent or 730 tonnes each year without adding any extra weight to the aircraft. Announced on day one of the Dubai Airshow (November 15), the 'Sharklet' device is created for the A320-family and will be fitted and flown on the A320 in late 2012 followed by the A321 nine months later and the A319 shortly after that. At a cost of $900,000 per aircraft fit, the Sharklet will create annual savings of $220,000 per aircraft with fuel costs per person lowered by 10 per cent, says Airbus. Payload-range benefits can deliver an increase of 500kg or an additional 500nm at the original payload. Airbus also announced Air New Zealand as its launch customer for the Sharklet, which will be manufactured starting 2010 and will have test flights in 2011. "This was a key decision to move to the A320", said Rob Fyfe, CEO of Air New Zealand.

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