OREANDA-NEWS. August 23, 2011. Transaero Airlines, Russian's second largest airline, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for eight A320neo aircraft, Airbus' new re-engined fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft plus four options. The deal was signed on the eve of the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2011 by Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines CEO and Christopher Buckley, Airbus' Executive Vice President Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

This order makes Transaero the launch customer for the A320neo in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe. The airline is planning to operate the aircraft on its extended medium-haul network of domestic and international routes as part of its expansion strategy and fleet renewal programme.

Olga Pleshakova said, "It was very important for Transaero Airlines to become the first A320neo customer in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe. The operation of these newest very efficient aircraft will allow us to create optimal conditions for passengers on the expanding network of domestic and international destinations. It is important that the agreement signed today will contribute to further growth of civil aviation in the country." "We are convinced there is a real market for the A320neo in Russia. We welcome Transaero as a new A320 Family customer and we are extremely pleased that Transaero chose our new efficient aircraft for its medium-haul fleet. We congratulate the airline on being the first in the region to benefit from the A320neo's unbeatable cost savings," added Christopher Buckley.

The A320neo incorporates new more efficient engines and large wing tip devices called "Sharklets" delivering significant fuel savings of 15 percent, which is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel per aircraft per year. This saves 3,600 tonnes of CO2 annually per aircraft. In addition, the A320neo provides a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions and reduced engine noise.