Airbus has launched the A313



During the ILA 2002 in Berlin, or to be more specific - on the 24th of July 2002 - we all saw the press-release by Airbus regaring their new project, nicknamed "Babybus". This brand new aircraft would seat 65 passengers and be the smallest member of the A320-Family. 

Last week, Airbus decided to launch the airliner, now officially named A313. "This is an importand step for Airbus to compete with growing regional-jet manufactures like Canadair and Embraer", senior vice president of Airbus told media last week. 

Below, you can reed the original press-release by Airbus published last year:

A313 - a typical two-class cabin layout seats 65 passengers, with a range of up to 3200 nautical miles, powered by CFM56-5 or PW6000 engines.

With the opening of ILA 2002 in Berlin, Airbus presented plans for the company’s future fleet-development. The European manufacturer intends to enter the regional-jet market with a completely new aircraft-study, the Airbus A313. With the A313, airlines will be able to offer a seamless level of comfort and technology across their complete range of domestic and regional markets. 

The aircraft offers the widest cabin in its class; no more comfort-compromise on shorter flights, and no weak link in the connecting flight chain. The A313 is an ideal introduction for new customers to the Airbus single-aisle A320 Family and a perfect fleet extension for existing customers.
With this aircraft, Airbus now starts the expected competition with Embraer, Fairchild Dornier and Canadair Bombardier.
© Airbus / ILA