OREANDA-NEWS. Aeroflot has taken delivery of a new A320 fitted with state-of-the-art aerodynamic Sharklets wing-tips. The aircraft has been named in honour of Alexander Vishnevsky, the Russian and Soviet military surgeon and physician, founder of the Moscow Institute of Surgery who first developed procaine blockade as a method of local anesthesia.

Sharklets improve aircraft aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption (up to 4 per cent, according to Airbus). These new wing-tips are 2.4 m high and made of composite materials.

All A320 aircraft are delivered to Aeroflot direct from the manufacturer. The A320 Alexander Vishnevsky is equipped with CFM56 engines and can accommodate 158 passengers in a spacious two-class configuration (8 seats in business and 150 in economy). These aircraft provide services mainly on European and domestic routes. Aeroflot is one of the world's leading airlines in terms of operational reliability and actual hours flown per A320 aircraft.

A320 airplanes meet the highest reliability, safety and comfort standards and are considered one of the best aircraft available for medium-range flights.

Today Aeroflot's fleet includes 93 A319/320/321 family aircraft with an average age of five years.