article_snippet: The twin-engined A320 entered service in 1988, some two decades after The twin-engined A320 single-aisle rival, Boeing's 737.
article_snippet: Airbus said the 150-seat aircraft, which had been flying between Barcelona, Spain and Dusseldorf, Germany, was 24 years old, having been delivered to German flag carrier Lufthansa from German flag carrier Lufthansa production line in 1991.
article_snippet: Seymour adds that at 24 years old, the aircraft involved in Tuesday's crash was probably nearing the final years of the aircraft involved in the crash working life, but that would not affect safety.
article_snippet: Airlines would usually consider retiring an aircraft at the 25-30 years point because maintenance costs increase beyond that.
article_snippet: These things fly day-in and day-out and are designed to go on and on.
article_snippet: Airlines usually only decide to retire Airlines because maybe there's a younger aircraft that doesn't use as much fuel and doesn't cost so much to run.
article_snippet: an Airbus A320 operated by AirAsia Indonesia entered service in March 1988.
highlights_snippet: The plane is the single-aisle rival to Boeing's 737 .
  