Tibet Air chooses A319s to launch fleet

A319. Photo: Courtesy, Airbus.

Lhasa-based startup Tibet Air signed a commitment to acquire three A319s to launch its fleet, Airbus said yesterday.

Engine selection was not announced. The carrier, which received CAAC approval in March, has registered capital of CNY280 million ($41.3 million) comprising CNY142.8 million from Tibet Autonomous Region Investment Co., which holds a 51% stake; CNY109.2 million from Sanli Investment Co., which holds 39%; and CNY28 million from Tibet Ruiyi Investment Co., which holds 10% (ATW Daily News, July 5).

The airline had been evaluating the A319 and 737. Airbus said Tibet's A319s will seat 128 passengers in a two-class configuration, including eight first-class seats. "The carrier plans to operate the A319s both on routes within the region and to major destinations across China," according to the manufacturer.

The new entity indicated previously it will operate regional routes to Nyingchi, Chamdo and Ali initially and eventually hopes to operate international routes. It said it will expand its fleet to 20 aircraft over the next five years.

The airline will operate in a region with high mountains and tight approaches to airports. An Air China A319 successfully completed a Required Navigation Performance validation flight at Ali in conjunction with Airbus in May (ATW Daily News, May 31). Tibet GM Liu Yanpin said, “The proven high-altitude flight performance of the Airbus A319 was key [to the decision] to start our operations with this aircraft."

Neither aircraft delivery dates nor the airline's launch date was announced.