Environment-friendly aircraft lands in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — With the tip of its wings conspicuously curved upward, the world’s reputed first environment-friendly commercial aircraft arrived here yesterday from Malaysia, the first such plane to land in the Philippines.

AirAsia’s A320 with so-called “sharklet” wings landed at 10 a.m. at the Clark International Airport (CIA), sans welcome fanfare.

“It’s the world’s first Airbus A320 with sharklets operated by AirAsia Berhad Malaysia,” said Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano.

The aircraft arrived with 180 passengers from Kuala Lumpur.

AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Maan Hontiveros said the sharklets “reduce fuel burn and emissions by improving the aerodynamics of the aircraft significantly.”

“The sharklets will enable savings of four percent in fuel consumption, corresponding to an annual carbon reduction of around 1,000 tons per aircraft,” she said.

Hontiveros added that the sharklets “offer the flexibility of either adding around 100 nautical miles in range or allowing increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.”

Capt. Hans Hernandez, safety manager of AirAsia Philippines, said AirAsia was given the privilege by Airbus to get the world’s first aircraft with sharklets because “AirAsia is Airbus’ top customer for the A320 aircraft.”

Hontiveros disclosed that AirAsia Philippines would also have its own A320 with sharklets by April.

She said AirAsia has placed orders for 100 more A320s, including 36 with sharklets.