The Airbus A320neo has received today the joint Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), clearing the path for the initial deliveries of the aircraft to its customers.
Both type certifications were granted to the A320neo powered by Pure Power PW1100G-JM engines produced by Pratt & Whitney, engine division of United Technologies Corp. The A320neo with CFM engines will be certified in the coming months, the A321neo and A319neo in both engines variants will follow suit.
According to the manufacturer, the three flight test aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines accumulated over 1,070 flight hours in some 350 flights. Interestingly, 300 flight hours were completed with the same aircraft in an airline-like environment, intended to assure operational maturity at entry into service.
“This double seal of approval represents a great achievement for Airbus. It recognizes the hard work performed by all the teams at Airbus and Pratt & Whitney. It demonstrates the A320neo is meeting all requirements,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “The A320neo is now cleared for its first delivery and ready to offer many airlines its winning combination of unbeatable economics and outstanding cabin comfort.”
The ‘neo’ or ‘new engine option’ is an upgrade of Airbus popular single aisle family which also includes other enhancements intended to improve fuel efficiency and range of the plane. According to Airbus, the A320neo should be 15% more efficient than the current engine option or ‘ceo’.
Airbus builds the A320 in production plants in France, Germany and China, and last September inaugurated a new Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama, to serve the North American market. The airframer is readying a major production ramp up of its A320 family aircraft, intended to satisfy the growing single-aisle demand in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and China. The Airbus order book at the end of October showed a backlog of 5,466 A320 family aircraft in both ceo and neo types.
Airbus has promised to deliver the first of the A320neos this year. Qatar Airways is the lead operator of the new plane.
Airbus A320neo Receives Joint EASA and FAA Type Certification
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