Airbus introduces A320neo family

Airbus Industries today introduced A320 NEO – the new engine option for the Airbus A320 family.
Airlines will be able to choose between CFM LEAP-X and Pratt and Whitney PW1100G engine. The new engine option also incorporates winglets, dubbed Sharklets.

Branded as A320neo, deliveries of the new option will start from Spring 2016. Airbus promises an up to 15% reduction of fuel costs, as well as double-digit reduction in NOx and CO2 emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500nm ( 950km ) extra range or 2t extra payload.
Airbus estimates a market potential of 4,000 A320neo aircraft over the next 15 years.
The neo option is available for A319, A320 and the A321 and will require wing and pylon area modifications. The neo versions will have over 95% commonality with the standard versions.
“ We are confident that the A320neo will be a great success across all markets and with all types of operators, offering them maximum benefit with minimum change. We are leveraging a reliable, mature aircraft and are making it even more efficient and environmentally friendly, ” said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.

“Finding the necessary resources for the A320neo wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, ” Enders added. “ The enabler was to devise a stringent phasing of critical engineering assets throughout our various development programmes and to optimise the management and organisation of all our programmes and R&T projects. Our international engineering centres, suppliers and partners play a big role in this. ”