Air Arabia formalises new engine order to power Airbus fleet

Dubai: Low-fare airline Air Arabia has formalised an order for CFM56-5B engines to power its fleet of 44 Airbus A320 aircraft.

This new engine selection, originally announced last July, will more than double the airline's CFM56-5B powered A320 fleet, the carrier said in a statement Monday.

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, recently set a new world record, achieving 30,000 flight hours in just six years with one CFM56-5B-powered A320.

"Air Arabia enjoys a long track record of operational excellence," said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer.

"And we remain focused on offering the best value to our customers, which means optimum utilisation of our resources, including the state-of-the-art Airbus A320 aircraft with CFM56 engines, which represents the heart of our fleet."

Air Arabia became a CFM customer in 2003 when the airline started operations with a CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320.

Operational excellence

The airline, which holds the A320 Family Operational Excellence Award from Airbus, currently operates 23 CFM56-5B-powered A320s and deliveries of the airline's order for 44 more A320 aircraft are scheduled to begin later this year.

Air Arabia serves more than 60 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.