The Mexican Navy is set to take delivery of the first Airbus C295W medium transport aircraft, featuring winglets and enhanced engine settings.
The delivery follows a contract signed in October 2014 for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C295 aircraft with winglets. The navy has ordered the new winglets to be made a standard feature for all future C295 orders.
Mexican Navy rear admiral José María García Macedo said: "The C295 has served us well for many years.
"We had some concerns about operating a mixed fleet of aircraft with and without winglets, but when we studied the enhanced performance of this new version it was clear that it would bring very significant operating benefits for us that could not be ignored."
The added winglets enable the aircraft to transport an increased payload for longer distances, which saves approximately 4% of fuel each flight.
Airbus Defence and Space Latin America commercial head Antonio Rodríguez Barberán said: "The advantage of the winglets in hot and high conditions means that the development of the C295W is a key step for our highly successful light and medium transport family.
"It is a particular pleasure to deliver this first aircraft to Mexico, which already has the biggest Airbus Defence and Space transport fleet in Latin America."
The company unveiled the improved C295W aircraft in May 2013.
Image: The Mexican Navy is the launch customer of the first C295W featuring winglets and enhanced engine settings. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Group.
