Spirit first carrier to add American-made A320

Spirit Airlines on Monday welcomed the first American-made Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet during a ceremony at its new $32 million hangar and maintenance facility at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The new plane, dubbed NK650, was manufactured at an Airbus factory in Mobile, Ala.

It is expected to officially enter service in the fall, an airline spokesman said.

“This new aircraft shows our commitment to delivering the cleanest, state-of-the-art [planes] to our customers, as we continue to offer the lowest fares in the industry,” said Ted Christie, executive vice president and chief financial officer, in a statement.

The low-cost carrier’s latest A320 will offer single-aisle configuration with 182 passenger seats.

The A320 aircraft type entered airline service in April 1988 and are popular around the industry for operating short to medium-haul flights, Airbus said.

NK650 is the second milestone aircraft delivery for Spirit in less than a year.

In October, the Miramar-based carrier was the first U.S. airline to take delivery of an Airbus A320neo aircraft outfitted with a Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan fuel-efficient engine that uses less fuel, runs quieter and produces fewer emissions.

The new aircraft deliveries are part of Spirit’s long-term growth plans. And more are coming. Over the next five years, the carrier is forecasting capacity growth of 15 percent to 18.5 percent annually, officials said in an Aug. 16 investors’ presentation. During that period, it’s expecting to add at least 125 new routes.

More planes also means Spirit will need additional pilots to fly them.

The airline is now locked in federally mediated contract negotiations with its unionized pilots who contend their pay and benefits are not on par with counterparts at other carriers.

Spirit is the third-busiest airline at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with 18.8 percent of passenger traffic this year through May, the latest airport data show.

“This new aircraft shows our commitment to delivering the cleanest, state-of-the-art [planes] to our customers.” Ted Christie, executive vice president and chief financial officer

SPIRIT AIRLINES/COURTESY Spirit Airlines welcomed the first American-made Airbus A320 aircraft to its fleet during a ceremony at its new $32 million hangar and maintenance facility at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Monday.