On January 20, 2016, after 12 months of flight testing, the first A320neo powered by geared turbofan (GTF) engines to enter revenue service was handed over to the customer. Airbus delivered the first of the single-aisle jets to Lufthansa.
Airbus described the delivery as “a major step in aviation history”. Equipped with all new technology Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan engines, the A320neo promises to reduce emissions and noise as well as burning 15% less fuel than current generation aircraft from day one and 20% less by 2020.
“We are happy that today we are the first airline worldwide to receive the Airbus A320neo. Featuring the leading technology of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, the A320neo is by far the most efficient and most silent aircraft on short- and medium-haul routes. With lower fuel consumption and consequently lower CO2 emissions, the A320neo has a clearly improved environmental performance. Furthermore, the new jet engine technology makes the aircraft considerably quieter. As a result, we have ordered a total of 116 aircraft of this type for the airlines of the Lufthansa Group”, states Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa.
“Today we prove once again that as an aviation company and airline group we are pioneers in the development and introduction of technical innovations. In this year alone the Lufthansa Group will receive a total of 52 new aircraft, a number we have not received in years”, says Spohr.
“Pratt & Whitney congratulates Lufthansa as the launch customer for the A320neo aircraft powered by PW1100G-JM engines,” said Robert Leduc, Pratt & Whitney President. “Airbus and Lufthansa have been important customers for Pratt & Whitney for many years. With the A320neo’s unprecedented reductions in fuel burn, emissions and noise, I am confident that these business relationships will have continued success for many years to come.”
“Handing over the first A320neo to a world’s leading airline and long standing Airbus customer, Lufthansa, is a truly great day for everyone at Airbus,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “This occasion marks a new step forward to delivering on our promises and meeting our industry’s goal for sustainable aviation. The A320neo embodies Airbus’ passion and commitment to deliver maximum value and efficiency to our customers through continuous innovations.”
With a market share of around 60 percent in the narrowbody segment, the A320neo is currently the most successful airliner in this category. Since its official launch in 2010, more than 4,400 orders have been received from close to 80 customers. “Delivery of the first A320neo marks a major milestone in the success story of the GTF,” according to Michael Schreyögg, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines. “The geared turbofan technology used on the PW1100G-JM will have a decisive impact on MTU’s OEM sales over the coming years and decades. Also, we have made the necessary preparations to ensure everything is in place to start providing support to the engines in revenue service with the airlines.”