Atlantic Airways, flag carrier of the Faroe Islands and based in Sorvagur, has signed a firm contract for one Airbus A319 plus one option, and becomes a new Airbus customer.

Atlantic Airways' Airbus A319s will feature a comfortable single-class cabin layout. The aircraft will be operated on the airlines' network between the Faroes and Denmark as well as to other growth destinations in Europe.

"We are very pleased to have selected the Airbus A319. We have considered several good alternatives in our selection process, but in the end we found Airbus to have the overall best solution for us", said Magni Arge, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Airways. "Selection of this aircraft gives us the best possibility of running a viable operation on the existing short runway and also take the benefits from an extended runway on the Faroe Islands which we hope to have in place in 2011."

"I am delighted to welcome Atlantic Airways as a new customer for the A319, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "The A320 Family is undoubtedly the world's favourite single-aisle aircraft which features highest passenger appeal combined with the lowest operating costs and lowest fuel burn, making it extremely eco-efficient."

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Each aircraft features fly by wire controls and all share a unique cockpit and operational commonality across the range. Over 5,800 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold and over 3,300 delivered to more than 200 customers and operators worldwide, making it the worlds best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. In addition, the latest new cabin design saves on weight and offers the passenger a quieter and roomier experience as well as significantly larger overhead stowage lockers. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world wide standard wide-body system.