Airbus expects the sharklet wing-tips to be fitted on all its Airbus A320 family aircraft beginning in 2014.
Speaking at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading conference in Rome today, Airbus senior vice president of leasing markets Andy Shankland said "all deliveries in 2014" will have sharklet wing-tips, building on 50% of all deliveries in 2013.
AirAsia will receive the first sharklet-equipped A320 at the end of this year and "entry into service is on track", according to Shankland.
Airbus is still performing tests on aircraft MSN 001, says Shankland. The manufacturer expects 3.5% fuel burn savings on 2,000 nautical miles trips and 4% fuel burn savings on long-range missions.
At the ILA show last week, Airbus said it expects some 200 A320-family aircraft to be delivered next year with sharklet wing-tips. The manufacturer has secured orders for 415 jets so far this year says it is "on track" for 650 orders by year-end.
Source: Commercial Aviation Online
