Air Arabia, the first and largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced that it has taken delivery of its first Sharklet equipped Airbus A320 aircraft. Air Arabia becomes the first airline in the Middle East to take delivery of Sharklet equipped Airbus A320, further enabling the airline to achieve increased operational efficiency.

Sharklets are an option on new-build Airbus A320 Family aircraft, which are equipped with fuel-saving large wing tip devices. Sharklets are made from light-weight composites, and the newly designed wing-tip devices reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft significantly.

The delivery of the new aircraft marks yet another step in Air Arabia’s fleet expansion strategy, while creating the industry’s most modern fleet. The new aircraft has gone straight into service across Air Arabia’s network of 82 destinations.

“We are extremely proud to become the first airline in the Middle East region to take delivery of an A320 fitted with Airbus’ new, fuel saving Sharklets,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “Air Arabia has a long-standing commitment to operational efficiency and fuel saving. These new wing tip devices will contribute to fulfilling our goal of becoming one of the world’s most efficient and innovative low cost airlines.”

“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 four per cent fuel saving our new Sharklets deliver,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “Air Arabia, with their Sharklet-equipped A320s, can now assure their passengers that they are also travelling on board the world’s most environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft.”

Air Arabia has now received 15 of the 44 A320 aircraft it has ordered from Airbus in 2007. The delivery of the 44 new aircraft will be completed by 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s fleet. It expects to take delivery of seven new A320 aircraft in 2013.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling and most modern single aisle aircraft Family. All Air Arabia aircraft cabin interiors are fitted with a world-class comfort seats offering highest seat pitch of any economy cabin across the globe and therefore, offering passengers extra leg room to sit back and relax during their flight.