SAS's new, large aircraft for Europe - Airbus A321-100

SAS's new, large aircraft for Europe - Airbus A321-100 The Airbus A321-100 will be SAS's new, large aircraft for use in Scandinavia and Europe. SAS is purchasing twelve new A321-100s and has an option to purchase 10 additional aircraft. The Airbus A321 is part of the successful A320 family, which has sold more than 2,300 units. Every twenty seconds an A320 is taking off somewhere in the world. Using the A321-100, SAS will expand the most trafficked European destinations and simultaneously support new efforts in international traffic by strengthening the SAS traffic network in Scandinavia. The Airbus A321 represents a new, larger class of aircraft in the SAS fleet and will not replace any existing aircraft type. The A321 is needed in the SAS traffic system as the fight for desirable take-off and landing times in Europe intensifies. With more seats per flight, capacity will be increased while unit costs will be reduced. The range of the A321 is up to 5,500 kilometers and the plane has two engines. The A321 will be equipped with International Aero Engines V2500- A5. A similar engine is used in the SAS MD-90. The aircraft family A320 comes in four lengths, where the A321 is the "big brother." This is a concept that provides a unique advantage known as "commonality," or uniformity between aircraft types within the family. This means that every aircraft is basically like the other models, which makes it easier for crews to change between different aircraft types. The other members of the family are the A318 (107 passengers), the A319 (124 passengers) and the A320 (150 passengers). In practice, the A321 is an extended version of the basic model A320. The SAS version of the Airbus A321 seats between 158 - 182 passengers, depending on the configuration. The cabin offers flexible solutions of five seats across or a maximum of six seats across. The broad fuselage (396 centimetres) gives the cabin a spacious feeling. Space in the overhead baggage compartments is amply sufficient. The aircraft comes in versions that can carry up to 220 passengers and will allow for further growth potential for SAS. Freight handling is made more efficient through an ingenious container system. The solution reduces the amount of time spent loading and provides a better working environment. Improved freight capacity will also provide increased freight income for SAS. SAS has placed a lot of emphasis on environmental aspects. Low fuel consumption, low noise levels and environmentally adapted manufacturing are some of the demands placed by SAS on Airbus. Airbus is fulfilling these demands and is working long-term with the continued environmental adaptation of production. New materials are being used in the aircraft - for example, carbon fibres, which require substantially less energy during production and reduces the weight of an aircraft by up to 25 percent in comparison with traditional materials. A series of airline companies within the Star Alliance have the A320 family in their fleet of aircraft. Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Ansett Australia, British Midland, Lufthansa and United Airlines all use these types of aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industrie is a European multinational consortium. Today, they have 55 percent of all the orders in the world for aircraft with more than 100 seats. Airbus currently holds 354 orders from 25 customers for the A321. Airbus Industries was founded in 1967 when France, Germany and Great Britain became partners in the development program surrounding the A300. From 1970, when the first aircraft was produced, through 1999, Airbus has received 3,633 standing orders for the aircraft, and of those, 2,188 have been delivered. Today, 178 airlines around the world fly Airbus. The main office is located in Toulouse, near the Blagnac- airport, which is where the final assembly of the majority of the aircraft is carried out. Aircraft types A319 and A321 are assembled in Hamburg. Airbus Industrie has 37,000 employees and sales in 1999 were USD 16.7 billion. A321 FACTS Passenger capacity: Max 220 passengers Freight: Max 10 LD3-containers Range: Max 3,000 nautical miles (approximately 5,500 km) Aircraft fuselage: 3.96 meters in diameter Length: 44.5 meters Wingspan: 34.1 meters Height: 11.8 meters Optimal speed: 0.78 mach Maximum speed: 0.82 mach Engine alternatives: CFM International CFM56-5 or International Aero Engines V2500-A5 First delivery: January 1994 For a photo of the aircraft, please visit www.scandinavian.net SAS CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/17/20000217BIT00630/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/17/20000217BIT00630/bit0002.pdf