Romanian national carrier TAROM received the first of four A318 aircraft at a delivery ceremony in Hamburg on Wednesday 15th November.

This A318 aircraft is equipped with flexible seating that can be configured to provide a two or single class layout. The two class layout will comprise 14 business and 99 economy seats, with the capability of a 120 seat all-economy layout. Adaptable seating adds to the flexible employment of the aircraft, allowing TAROM to optimise its use on different routes and meet varying passenger requirements.

With the A318, TAROM will continue to modernise its fleet and develop new European routes. The airline operates domestic and international flights from Bucharest, and will use its A318 aircraft specifically to serve its medium haul network in Europe. The aircraft will be powered by CFM International engines.

President and CEO of TAROM, Gabriel Dumitrescu said at the delivery ceremony in Hamburg that “The aircraft you see here is an indication of our future modernization plans, to be one of the major players in the expanding European marketplace. We are moving in the right direction, and receiving the A318, which is the most modern aircraft in its category, will push us further in our journey to the top.”

“The A318, combining lowest operating cost with spaciousness and cabin flexibility, will be the ideal partner for TAROM to excel in business, said John Leahy, Airbus COO Customers. He also underlined that “The choice of the A318 is not only a confirmation of the supreme efficiency and comfort of this aircraft and has no equal in its category. By selecting Airbus TAROM has also made a truly European choice, and I do not want to miss this occasion to thank this important airline for its vote of confidence in our products.”

Delivery of the first A318 marks the continuation of the partnership between TAROM and Airbus which dates back to 1992 when TAROM introduced the A310 widebody into its fleet.