PHOTOS: Airbus delivers its 7000th aircraft, an A321 to its largest operator, US Airways

December 12, 2011 Comments Off on PHOTOS: Airbus delivers its 7000th aircraft, an A321 to its largest operator, US Airways 249 Views

European airframer Airbus S.A.S. delivered its 7,000th aircraft delivered, an A321-231 to US Airways, the airline which operates the largest Airbus fleet in the world.

MSN 4957 which was test registered at D-AZAE was delivered with a registration N552UW.

By the end of the year, US Airways is expected to operate a fleet of 93 A319s, 72 A320s, 63 A321s and 16 A330s. The airline also has firm orders for an additional 58 A320 Family aircraft, eight A330 aircraft and 22 A350 XWBs on backlog. Strangely though, the airline has not ordered the neo (new engine option) of the A320.

The first Airbus aircraft ever delivered was an A300B2 delivered to Air France in 1974. The 1,000th Airbus delivery was an A340-300 to Air France in 1993. The 2,000th delivery was in 1999. The 3,000th in 2002, the 4,000th in 2005. The 5000th was an A330-200 to Australian flag carrier QANTAS, and the 6,000th was an A380 superjumbo to Emirates in January 2010.

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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