Airbus delivered the first A319neo, whose final assembly took place in Tianjin, China. The aircraft was received by Tibet Airlines, which has seven firm orders for the model.
The A319neo is the least popular variant of the A320 family, the most successful single-aisle jet in history. According to Airbus, only 61 aircraft were ordered until September, a total that only surpasses the widebody A330-800neo, which has 12 orders.
The smallest model in the A320neo series, the A319neo can carry around 160 passengers, practically the same as the A220-300, an aircraft that has a much more attractive operating cost, despite its shorter range.
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The delivery of the A391neo with registration B-32AJ was reported by the Chinese agency Xinhua, and so far the fact has not been disclosed by Airbus.
Since 2008, Airbus has maintained a final assembly line (FAL) in China, the first outside Europe. With an eye on the country’s immense aviation market, the manufacturer expanded its assembly line in Tianjin, which also completes the A320neo and A321neo.
According to the agency, more than 630 aircraft left Tianjin, although only a complementary part of production takes place there.
Tibet Airlines’ new A319neo was completed just over a year ago, but only on October 20 was it officially delivered to the Tibetan carrier.
The airline also has other A319neo ready, but not finished, among aircraft completed in Hamburg and China.
Apart from government customers, executive versions and undisclosed buyers, the aircraft has only had orders from Chinese airlines so far.
