Tibet Airlines receives first A319
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Tibet Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319, becoming the European planemaker’s newest customer in China. The aircraft is the first of three A319s ordered by the Lhasa-based airline in May 2010. The Tibet Airlines A319 accommodates 128 passengers in a two-class configuration, with eight seats in Premium and 120 in Economy Class. The aircraft is powered by CFM56-5B engines.
The aircraft will operate at the highest airports in the world such as Ali Kunsha, Tibet, which is above 14,000ft, and fly RNP-AR (Required Navigation Performance – Authorisation Required) procedures from Beijing and Chengdu to Lhasa and other regional routes. RNP-AR procedures allow the aircraft to fly precisely along a predefined route using on-board navigation systems. It is especially important for airlines based at a high altitude airport.
“I am confident, the proven high altitude flight performance of the A319 will enable us to offer our passengers the highest level of comfort on the highest altitude routes”, said Xu Bo, Chairman of Tibet Airlines. “We aim to build a regional network covering all civil airports in Lhasa, Tibetan autonomous region.”
“We are honored that our modern Airbus A319 aircraft will contribute to the development of civil aviation on the Tibetan plateau and we warmly welcome Tibet Airlines as our new operator”, said Airbus China President Laurence Barron. “Today, over 85 percent of the commercial flights to and from Tibet are already performed with an Airbus aircraft. We are now pleased that this number will rise further with Tibet Airlines’ RNP capable A319s.”
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