Story ID: 
New Japanese LCA To Launch A320 Services
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: A&F Aviation, the new Japanese airline established earlier this month by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and First Eastern Investment Group (First Eastern), will 
Word Count: 163
A&F Aviation, the new Japanese airline established earlier this month by All Nippon Airways (ANA) and First Eastern Investment Group (First Eastern), will start low-fare services with Airbus A320s from Kansai International Airport, Osaka, during the second half of ANA's 2011 fiscal year, the European manufacturer said today. ANA's 2011 fiscal year begins April 1. A&F's plans call for its fleet of 10 CFM56-powered A320s, leased from GECAS, to seat 180 passengers each in a single-class layout. "This is a further breakthrough for Airbus in the Japanese market in just three months and is also a clear endorsement of the A320's unmatched operational reliability and efficiency," said Airbus COO for customers John Leahy.Last November Airbus signed an MOU with Japan's Skymark Airlines covering four A380s. It expects to close on the sale next month.A&F parent ANA became Airbus' second customer in Japan when it ordered 10 A320s in 1987. Its first A320 entered service in early 1991.