Spirit Airlines has placed a firm order for 30 A319s, bringing its total Airbus order to 44 (37 A319s and seven A321s). The deal was finalized in late 2006. Each of the single-aisle aircraft will be powered by International Aero Engines' V2500s. Deliveries of the newly ordered aircraft are slated to begin in October 2009 and run through mid-2013.

"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."

Spirit, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, currently operates a fleet of 31 purchased and leased A320 Family aircraft - 25 A319s and six A321s. Each of its new A319s will seat 144 passengers, eight in "Spirit Plus" and 136 in coach.

The A319 program was launched in 1993 with the first aircraft entering service in 1996. It is the third derivative in the ever-popular A320 Family. Firm orders for the A320 Family - consisting of the 107-seat A318, 124-seat A319, 150-seat A320 and 185-seat A321 - currently stand at more than 5,000 aircraft with this new order.