Asiana Airlines welcomes first A380
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South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380.
The brand new double-decker jet was handed over to Park Sam Koo, chairman of the Kumho Asiana Group, by Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president & CEO, during a ceremony in Toulouse on Monday 26 May 2014.
Asiana, which is based at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, has ordered six A380s. These new aircraft will be configured in a three-class layout capable of carrying 495 passengers, with 12 private suites in first class, 66 seats in business class and 417 in economy. All the first and business class seats will recline to offer fully flat beds.
“We are delighted to receive our first A380 today, which is key to our future vision and fleet modernisation strategy”, said Park. “I am confident that Asiana can further enhance its level of customer service and that the A380 will play a significant role in helping us to remain at the forefront of the airline business.”
Asiana will initially deploy its A380s on routes from Seoul to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok, followed by the launch of long-haul services to Los Angeles.
The new aircraft form part of the airline’s long-haul fleet modernisation and expansion strategy. As well as the six A380s, Asiana has outstanding orders for 30 new A350 aircraft, to operating alongside its existing fleet of A330s and Boeing 777s. The arrival of the A380s will see Asiana retire its old Boeing 747s.
“We are extremely proud to see the A380 flying in the colours of Asiana Airlines”, said Airbus’ Brégier. “The A380 offers the most efficient solution to meet increasing demand on the world’s most heavily travelled routes and in the largest growth markets.
“With the aircraft in its fleet Asiana will be able to develop further its position as one of the world’s leading international carriers,” he added.
Asiana becomes the 11th global operator of the A380 and the seventh in the Asia Pacific region, following China Southern Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.
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