Tigerair, a Singapore-based low-cost carrier, has unveiled the first A320 in Asia to be retrofitted with Sharklets.
Five A320s have been delivered to Tigerair with Sharklet-ready wings, with the retrofit work to be done by Sepang Aircraft Engineering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Made from light-weight composites and measuring 2.4 metres in height, Sharkles offer a reduction in fuel costs by up to four per cent, and increases mission range by up to 100 nautical miles – making this a good fit for the short- to medium-range A320.
In addition to its retrofitted aircraft, Tigerair will start taking delivery of production-fitted Sharklet aircraft later this year. The low-cost carrier recently expanded its operations to four new destinations, namely Lijiang, Chiang Mai, Langkawi and Lombok (see here).
Airbus is making the upgrade an attractive and easy choice for other carriers by introducing the Sharklet retrofit programme for in-service A320 family aircraft. Starting 2015, operators of older in-service A320 that do not have Sharklets will be able to have their aircraft retrofitted with the upgrade by Airbus.
For more information, visit www.tigerair.com
Clement Huang