The Hindu Business Line : Kingfisher Airlines to buy 4 A-320s

THE UB Group-promoted Kingfisher Airlines on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of four all-economy class, 180-seater Airbus A-320s from Airbus Industrie.

In a statement on the official Airbus Web site, the aircraft manufacturer said that the airlines has also taken options on eight more aircraft. In addition, it is in negotiations with leasing companies for the lease of four more Airbus A-320 aircraft, the statement said.

Deliveries of the leased aircraft will begin in the first quarter of 2005, while those of the new aircraft from Airbus will start in the last quarter of 2005, the statement noted.

All the aircraft will seat 180 passengers in an all-economy layout. The choice of engines is yet to be made.

The Chairman of UB Group, Mr Vijay Mallya, has already announced his intention to launch a low-cost airlines. "We plan to launch a low-cost, no-frill airline. However, it will provide a great experience to the passengers who fly with us," Dr Mallya had said after a meeting with the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel in the capital on June 25.