Spirit Airlines Buys 30 More Airplanes from Airbus

[avrodriver]

Spirit Airlines Buys 30 More Airplanes from Airbus
Tuesday January 23, 9:40 am ET
All Aircraft to be Powered by IAE Engines
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spirit Airlines has purchased 30 additional Airbus A319 aircraft, with new deliveries beginning in 2009 and continuing through 2013.When combined with Spirit's existing all-Airbus fleet and current orders, this new order would grow the airline's fleet to 70 aircraft. The aircraft will be powered by V2500 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE). In addition, Spirit has agreed to purchase eleven spare engines from IAE to support its existing and newly ordered Airbus fleet.
"Spirit's new business model and low cost structure are anchored by the efficiency of the Airbus single-aisle aircraft and the V2500 powerplant," said Ben Baldanza, President and CEO of Spirit Airlines. "When coupled with high productivity in all parts of our operation, these new airplanes affirm Spirit's position as the leading low cost carrier to the Caribbean and Latin America as well as provide the basis for a sound and rational growth plan into the next decade."
"Spirit joined the ranks of leading U.S. customers for Airbus less than three years ago, and for the airline to come back this soon with an order of this magnitude shows that Airbus aircraft are working well for Spirit," said John Leahy, Airbus COO Customers. "The A320 Family remains a cornerstone of Airbus' global success and we are proud that new customers like Spirit have become repeat customers."
IAE President & CEO Jon Beatty said: "Spirit Airlines has focused on high efficiency and productivity in all parts of its operation, and we are delighted that the in-service performance of the V2500 and the support provided by the team at IAE has ensured we can continue to play a significant part in their expansion plans."
About Spirit Airlines
Fort Lauderdale-based Spirit Airlines, with hubs in Fort Lauderdale and Detroit, offers its outstanding low fare service to 32 cities in the United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. For the 411 on fares, schedules and reservations go to spiritair.com or call 1-800-772-7117 (en Espanol, 1-800-756-7117).

 

[Truckdriver]

Why such the emphasis on the IAE engines? Don't all their planes have IAE engines?

 

[elag777]

Why such the emphasis on the IAE engines? Don't all their planes have IAE engines?

I believe some of the early buses had GE engines on them...

 

[FlyWolf]

I think that Spirit Airbuses look great with that new silver/ gray metalic paint, very sharp.

 

[Andy]

Why such the emphasis on the IAE engines? Don't all their planes have IAE engines?

No, they come with either IAE V2500 or GE CFM-56; the choice is up to the airline. IIRC, the IAE V2500 is the cheaper option.

http://www.geae.com/engines/commercial/cfm56/index.html

 

[F9 Driver]

All of ours (318,19, and soon 20s) have the GEs. From what I've heard from those who've flown both they prefer the GE. (n1 v. EPR and such)

 

[Andy]

All of ours (318,19, and soon 20s) have the GEs. From what I've heard from those who've flown both they prefer the GE. (n1 v. EPR and such)

Flown both on the bus; I prefer the GE over the IAE.

 

[Truckdriver]

Maybe they are getting IAE's on all the new ones so it will be less of an issue when the B6-Spirit merger talks begin.

 

[castle bravo]

I believe some of the early buses had GE engines on them...

You believe incorrectly. NK has always used the V-2500.

 

[:-)]

You believe incorrectly. NK has always used the V-2500.

Lighten up francis, I believe that he might have been refering to Airbus aircraft in general, not just the ones flown by Spirit.

BTW, the IAE is reported to have a large Pratt & Whitney content. Can anyone verify that?