Airbus Press Centre - press release

Qantas Airways? new low-cost carrier, Jetstar, has signed a contract with Airbus

for 20 A320s and taken options on a further 40. Together with three leased A320s,

Jetstar will operate an all-Airbus fleet of 23 Aircraft by mid 2005.

Melbourne-based Jetstar will use its A320s on services within Australia commencing

in July 2004, with the first of the leased aircraft. Deliveries of the purchased

A320s will begin in October 2004.

Jetstar?s Airbus A320s will each seat 177 passengers in a high comfort all-economy

layout, with the most spacious cabin of any low-cost carrier in Australia ? they

will also have the most individual space for carry-on baggage. The aircraft will

be powered by International Aero Engines V2500 engines.

As you might expect, economics played a big role in our choice of the Airbus

A320 Family for Jetstar,? says Qantas Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Geoff Dixon, ?but we also liked the competitive edge that its modern design and

more comfortable cabin will give us in the low-cost arena.?

?Competition does not stop just because you have entered the low-cost sector

by offering attractive prices,? says Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce,

?and the Airbus A320, with its 1 to 1½ inch wider seats and more spacious cabin

lends itself better to providing value that our customers will appreciate as well

as fast turnarounds, will help us achieve our goals.?

?Qantas enjoys a reputation as a commercially competitive carrier, as well as

for technical excellence, so its choice of the Airbus A320 for low-cost operations

is a further mark of confidence in our growing presence in this field.? says President

and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

Airbus? A320 Family features the most modern design, the widest and most comfortable

cabin, and the highest degree of operational commonality of any single-aisle aircraft.

It also has great economics, through lower fuel burn and maintenance costs, transcontinental

range, superior short field performance and a proven worth as an excellent financial

investment. The A320 is a firm favourite with passengers, airlines and the investment

community alike, consistently coming top in independent surveys, financial and

operator polls.