Airbus in Latin America: Coming in first every year

2015 was once more, a remarkable year for Airbus in Latin America, filled with record-breaking milestones and countless “firsts”.

In February, Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of their first of four new, directly purchased A330-200 aircraft as a part of the carrier’s fleet renewal strategy. In April, Avianca announced a Purchase Agreement for 100 A320neo aircraft, which marks the largest single Airbus order in Latin America history.

Later that month, VivaAerobus received its first of 52 A320s on order, the largest order placed by a Mexican airline. In late May, all-Airbus operator Volaris received its first two A321s, which are the first of their kind to fly in Mexico. Days after, we celebrated our 500th delivery in Latin America, an A321 to LAN Airlines. And in July, we brought our A350 XWB for the first time to Bogota, Colombia and Campinas, Brazil, via Sao Paulo during the Latin America Demo Tour. And in August, in Mexico City we began construction of the first Airbus training center. This is one of two Airbus training centers in Mexico, which will also be the first two Airbus training centers in all of Latin America.

Finally, we recently celebrated a very special milestone: 25 years since the first A320 began operations in the Americas. This A320 was delivered on December 9, 1990 to LACSA, an airline which was acquired by TACA and since merged with Avianca. It truly humbles me to see how the A320 Family has grown from one in operation to over 1,650 in operation across the Americas, distinguishing itself as the clear aircraft family of choice in the region.

No other milestone could have wrapped up this impressive year more perfectly than the delivery of the first A350 XWB to TAM, which will be the first operator from the Americas to fly this aircraft. To Airbus, this delivery not only represents a decisive leap in aircraft production, but more importantly it speaks to how our region has distinguished itself to become one of the world’s epicenters for air transport.

You have heard us say that the A350 XWB represents the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies, but I don’t think this statement does it justice. The A350 XWB is the world’s most modern and efficient wide body aircraft. With a structure made up of advanced materials, the aircraft is more weight-efficient and brings airlines a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, not to mention significantly lower maintenance costs.

But this aircraft was built with passengers in mind, too. The extra-wide cabin is one of the quietest cabins in the sky, bringing new levels of comfort with more space in all classes. With the very latest fourth generation in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems, the panoramic windows, and bigger overhead compartments we have entered a new dimension in air travel experience.

I am proud to say that we have been able to create that aircraft of the future, which meets the demands of airlines and passengers alike.

So, whether it is on TAM’s first routes to Manaus, Madrid or Miami, come and witness what the aircraft of tomorrow has to offer you -the passenger of tomorrow- aboard what I promise you will be an unforgettable A350 XWB experience.