Airbus A320-100 - F-GFKA "Toulouse" - (80s)

(Written by Brawn Publications, 1987.)


MSN005, which is currently being used by Airbus for testing, is a brand new Airbus A320-100 set to become the first A320 to enter renevue service in early to mid 1988 with C.A.F. MSN005 is shown here wearing the current C.A.F livery with a tentative registration, bearing the name "Toulouse", the city where the A320 is set to be manufactured.


C.A.F became the launch operator of the A320 with an order of 15 A320-100s with 15 options, these options were later converted to the proposed heavier A320-200.


C.A.F plans to replace its aging Boeing 727-200s and 200Adv serving short haul services with the A320-100, while most of the b727-200Adv serving longer sectors will probably be replaced by the A320-200. Reportedly, C.A.F is also evaluating the Boeing 757-200 and a proposed stretch of the A320 as possible replacements for the longest routes operated by the B727-200Adv (Such as Paris-Antalya, currently served by the B727-200Adv and the DC-10-40).


Two potential cabin configurations for the A320 have been reportedly confirmed by C.A.F, one with 168 seats in a one class cabin and another configuration with 12 business and 138 coach class seats in a two class cabin.