Aeroflot

Aeroflot has taken delivery of its first A320 aircraft equipped with sharklets, making the Russian national airline the first in the country to use these new fuel saving wing-tip devices.

Powered by CFM56 engines, Aeroflot’s A320 aircraft features a two-class cabin, with a capacity to accommodate 158 passengers, eight in business class and 150 in economy.

Sharklets are 2.4m-tall wing tip devices made from lightweight composites. They improve the aircraft’s aerodynamics and help reduce the airline’s fuel burn and emissions by up to 4% on longer routes.

Aeroflot was the first carrier in Russia to operate the A310, with an entry into service in 1992, as well as the first airline to operate the A320 Family aircraft in 2003.

"Sharklets are 2.4m-tall wing tip devices made from lightweight composites."

The airline currently operates an Airbus fleet of 90 A320 aircraft and 22 of the A330.

Earlier this month, Aeroflot received a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the fifth of 16 aircraft on order, and the airline’s fifth full-specification Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ-100).

The addition of these two new aircraft is part of the Russian carrier’s strategy to expand its route network, while renewing and expanding its fleet in order to provide enhanced flight reliability.

Aeroflot also took delivery of its fourth Boeing B737-800 Next Generation aircraft and its 91st Airbus A320 jetliner earlier this year.

Image: Aeroflot’s sharklet-equipped A320 aircraft is powered by CFM56 engines. Photo: courtesy of P Pigeyre / Airbus SAS.

Defence Technology