Why Airlines Prefer the Airbus A320neo for Their Fleets
Introduction
Airbus has taken another significant step in aviation with the final assembly of its first A320neo (New Engine Option), MSN 6101, in Toulouse. This milestone marks a major advancement in the A320neo program. The forward fuselage, arriving from St. Nazaire, France, and the aft fuselage from Hamburg, Germany, have been mated, initiating the final assembly process. The next crucial phase involves attaching the wings to the fuselage, a procedure that takes approximately one month to complete.
Development and Milestones
The A320neo program reached a pivotal moment in November 2013 with the assembly of its first major component, the engine pylon. The first flight of the A320neo is anticipated in Autumn 2014, nearly four years after the program’s launch in December 2010. Airbus decided to re-engine the A320 Family to counter the competition posed by Bombardier’s C-Series aircraft.
The A320neo retains 95% airframe commonality with the existing A320, ensuring high dispatch reliability and minimal changes. Airbus has incorporated incremental modifications to enhance performance while mitigating risks associated with extensive changes.
Technological Enhancements
In November 2011, Airbus introduced the first A320 with sharklets, seen on all new A320s. These wingtip devices provide up to 4% fuel savings on long flights. The A320neo will feature these sharklets, along with further wing and fuselage strengthening to accommodate the larger and heavier engines – the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and the CFM LEAP-1A. These enhancements will result in a 15-16% fuel savings on various route lengths compared to the current A320 models.
Engine Innovations
The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared Turbofan Engine for the A320neo first flew in May 2013 on a Boeing 747SP test bed. The engine’s innovative design contributes significantly to the fuel efficiency and performance improvements of the A320neo. These engines promise reduced noise and emissions, aligning with global environmental standards.
Comparison with Competitors
Unlike other aircraft being re-engined, such as the Boeing 737MAX and Embraer E-Jets E2, the A320neo has minimal changes. This approach reduces the likelihood of dispatch reliability issues commonly faced by new aircraft. The Bombardier C-Series, introducing many new features, has fewer firm orders (201) compared to the A320neo (2,667), Boeing 737MAX (1,807), and Embraer E-Jet E2 (200).
Market Reception and Orders
The A320neo program’s success is attributed to its minimal changes, early service introduction (Q4 2015), dual engine options, and small training impact. IndiGo, Go Air, and Air Asia are among the major customers. IndiGo has ordered 180 A320neo Family aircraft, Go Air has 72, and Air Asia has 264 on order. IndiGo and Go Air have chosen the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, while Air Asia opted for the CFM LEAP-1A engines.
Conclusion
The Airbus A320neo represents a significant advancement in aviation technology, offering improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced performance. Its successful development and market reception underscore Airbus’s strategic approach in maintaining minimal changes while achieving substantial benefits.
FAQs
The A320neo features new, more efficient engines (Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and CFM LEAP-1A), sharklets for improved aerodynamics, and minimal structural changes to ensure high reliability and performance.
Major customers include IndiGo, Go Air, and Air Asia, with substantial orders for the A320neo Family aircraft.