AviancaTaca receives the first A320 Sharklet aircraft in Latin America

Estuardo Ortiz, AviancaTaca Chief Operating Officer, shares his views on the new milestone

Not long ago, Noticias celebrated AviancaTaca’s 100th Airbus aircraft in operation, a number not negligable considering five years ago the airline did not have one Airbus aircraft in their fleet. On February 12, we celebrated another milestone as AviancaTaca took delivery of the first A320 Sharklet equipped aircraft to be operated in Latin America. Sharklets are the new winglet devices specifically designed for the A320 Family that are an optional replacement for current wingtip devices.

This new 2.4m-high aerodynamic improvement will not only allow for a substantial decrease in fuel consumption (up to 4% on the longest routes), but also an improved take-off capability thanks to the better, low speed performance achieved. This A320 Sharklet aircraft is the first of a fleet of 30 that will be delivered in the coming years.

Noticias sat down with Estuardo Ortiz, COO of AviancaTaca, to understand how this new milestone is already affecting market perception and the airline’s operations.

1) What are the benefits of the Sharklets for AviancaTaca’s operations?

"The wings of the new A320, with Sharklet devices that stand 2.4 meters tall, help reduce fuel consumption by up to 4% compared to the previous version of the A320, while decreasing CO2 emissions by 1,000 tons per aircraft per year.

"Our CEO Fabio Villegas has said that incorporating the first A320s with fuel-saving Sharklets to Avianca's fleet is an important step in the process of technological modernization that the Holding has undertaken in order to provide world class services to its customers. With these aircraft, the airline secures Avianca's position at the vanguard of technology while beginning a new era of efficiency and operational performance."

2) You are the first airline to operate this new technology in the region. Has it impacted the passenger experience and/or market recognition?

"AviancaTaca expects to experience passenger and market recognition due to the eco-friendly attributes of this technology once the aircraft is operating. The benefits it brings to the environment are aligned with our excellence standards as we strive to deliver a better service every day."

3) Are there specific routes where the aircraft will be operated?

"The new A320 will operate on long routes in order to harness the full potential of the fuel savings that the Sharklet equipped wings can offer. This aircraft optimizes cost, capacity (150 passengers), and in-flight entertainment, making it one of the best options in the market for long range flights."

For more information contact:
Amaya Rodriguez Gonzalez
Director Marketing Latin America & Caribbean
amaya.rodriguez-gonzalez@airbus.com