A319
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| A319 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Airbus A319 |
| Caption | An Airbus A319 in service |
| Role | Narrow-body airliner |
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| First flight | 1995 |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Status | In service |
| Produced | 1993–present |
| Number built | ~1,500 |
| Developed from | Airbus A320 family |
A319 is a short- to medium-range, narrow-body commercial airliner produced by Airbus as a shortened derivative of the Airbus A320 family. It serves in passenger, corporate, and military configurations for carriers and operators worldwide, complementing larger types such as the A320neo family and Boeing 737 family. The type is notable for its commonality with the A320 series, enabling crew and maintenance cross-qualification with other Airbus single-aisles like the Airbus A321.
Design and Development
The development program was initiated to address market demand identified by Airbus Industrie in the early 1990s, following the success of the Airbus A320 which had entered service with Air Inter and Lufthansa. The fuselage was shortened relative to the A320 to create a 124–156 seat variant appealing to airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. Structural and systems commonality with the A320—covering the flightdeck architecture shared with the Airbus fly-by-wire suite—allowed pilots type-familiarity with aircraft flown by carriers including EasyJet, Vueling, and Iberia. Initial flight testing included certification milestones overseen by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration, culminating in type certification in 1996.
Variants and Modifications
Production variants included the baseline passenger model, the extended-range corporate or business-jet conversion sold to operators like ASL Aviation Holdings and state VIP customers. The A319CJ (corporate jet) featured auxiliary fuel tanks, reduced seating, and luxury interiors marketed to entities such as Emirates Flight Training Academy clients and heads of state including delegations from countries represented at the United Nations General Assembly. Later upgrades paralleled the A320 family improvements, with options for CFM International and International Aero Engines turbofan engines, as well as optional sharklet wingtip devices influenced by aerodynamic research associated with institutions like Cranfield University.
Operational History
Commercial service entry occurred with operators such as Lufthansa and British Airways, where the type served short- and medium-haul European routes alongside hubs like Frankfurt Airport and London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft has been employed for low-cost carrier operations by EasyJet and JetBlue Airways on transcontinental and regional routes, and for flag-carrier operations by Air France and KLM. Military and government use includes VIP transport and special mission configurations by air arms such as the Royal Air Force and the Hellenic Air Force, operating from bases like RAF Brize Norton and Elefsis Air Base.
Operators and Orders
Major operators and large orderists include EasyJet, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Vueling, and Royal Jordanian. Lease companies such as AerCap and Avolon have maintained significant A319 portfolios, placing aircraft with airlines in markets served from hubs like Dubai International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport. Production and backlog figures were tracked by aviation analytics groups and reported at industry gatherings including the Paris Air Show and Farnborough Airshow.
Accidents and Incidents
The type has been involved in a number of incidents and accidents worldwide, investigated by authorities such as the National Transportation Safety Board and the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile. Investigations referenced organizations such as International Civil Aviation Organization for procedural standards. High-profile events prompted regulatory and operator-level changes adopted by carriers like Air Malta and TransAsia Airways for crew procedures and maintenance oversight.
Specifications
Key specifications for typical passenger configurations include twin turbofan engines by manufacturers such as CFM International or Pratt & Whitney, a two-class seating of approximately 124 passengers, and a maximum range in standard form comparable to other single-aisle types serving transcontinental sectors like those operated by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Performance metrics—cruise speed, service ceiling, and fuel burn—were evaluated in comparative studies alongside the Boeing 737-700 and later narrow-body competitors.
Notable Uses and Records
The airframe has been adapted for VIP transport for heads of state attending summits such as the G7 summit and the European Council meetings, and has been utilized by humanitarian organizations operating from hubs including Geneva Airport. Special missions included maritime patrol proposals and aerial survey conversions performed by aerospace contractors at facilities near centers like Toulouse–Blagnac Airport and Hamburg Airport. The model established service records in regional markets and was highlighted at air shows including the Dubai Airshow and Singapore Airshow.
Category:Airbus aircraft Category:1990s European airliners