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Airbus Reveals A320 NEO

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Airlines Praise Airbus A320neo Performance, But Engine Issues Remain

 

The new Airbus narrowbody exceeds performance targets, but engine troubles have not yet been overcome

 

Now that the A320neo has been in service for a little over one year, airlines as well as Airbus and its key suppliers have gained operational experience with the reengined narrowbody. The story so far has been about a tumultuous start involving a last-minute change in launch operator and a difficult introduction of the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine. But Airbus and operators are encouraged by the aircraft’s performance data.

 

As of March 1, Airbus had delivered a total of 88 A320neos. The aircraft are flown by 20 airlines; 49 aircraft at 11 carriers are equipped with the Pratt & Whitney 1100G engine; 39 at nine airlines with the CFM International Leap 1A (see table, page 50). As of mid-March, the in-service fleet had accumulated more than 57,600 flight hours and around 37,500 cycles.
The A320neo fleet averages close to nine block hours per day, and some airlines fly the aircraft up to 10 cycles a day. In this respect, the Neo is not different from the A320ceo (current engine option). Lufthansa operates some of the shortest routes, with the aircraft routinely being dispatched on the 45 min. sectors from Frankfurt to Hamburg or Munich. China Southern Airlines flies some of the longest sectors, close to 6 hr. The average stage length across the Neo fleet is 800-900 nm on 142 different routes. While there have been some high-profile operational issues—in particular related to Pratt’s geared turbofan engine (GTF)—those have not had a massive detrimental effect on overall dispatch reliability, which is now at 99.6%, against a target of 99.7%.
Full report here:

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The Airbus A319neo takes to the skies

 

csm_A319neo_First_Flight_01_ecba046011.j

 

Third member of successful A320neo Family starts flight test campaign
31 MARCH 2017 PRESS RELEASE
The first Airbus A319neo performed its maiden flight today, The smallest member of the A320neo Family, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines took off from Hamburg and landed in Toulouse after a 5 hour flight.
It was piloted by Experimental test pilots Michel Gagneux and Eckard Hausser. They were assisted in the cockpit by Test-Flight Engineer Jean Michel Pin, while two flight test engineers Sylvie Loisel-Labaste and David O’nions directed the flight from the aircraft’s Test Engineer station.
This flight was the occasion for the crew to assess the general handling of the aircraft and to check the main systems. The A319neo, registered as D-AVWA, will be based in Toulouse in order to complete its flight test programme.
The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with over 5,000 orders received from over 90 customers, capturing almost 60 percent share of the market. The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020.
Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320neo Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard.
With one aircraft in three sizes (A319neo, A320neo & A321neo), the A320neo Family, seating from 100 to 240 passengers, seamlessly covers the entire single-aisle segment from low to high-density domestic to longer range routes.
The A319neo is the smallest member of the A320neo Family; it offers its operators superior short field performance in hot and high conditions. It can accommodate up to 160 passengers without compromise on the comfort.
More:

And now there are three! The A319neo performs its first flight

 

http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/and-now-there-are-three-the-a319neo-performs-its-first-flight/

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Will there be A318neo?

No, there won't be. Cost prohibitive and Airbus learnt their lesson from A318ceo. Leave the market to Bombardier, Mitsubishi, Sukhoi, Embraer and Comac.

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No, there won't be. Cost prohibitive and Airbus learnt their lesson from A318ceo. Leave the market to Bombardier, Mitsubishi, Sukhoi, Embraer and Comac.

 

They learned it hard way; Only 80 A318s were built, with Avianca Group is the biggest operator, 25 A318s (Avianca Brazil-15 and Avianca Colombia-10).

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They learned it hard way; Only 80 A318s were built, with Avianca Group is the biggest operator, 25 A318s (Avianca Brazil-15 and Avianca Colombia-10).

 

 

Those BA has a handful of them for operating into LCY London City Airport? IIRC... Qatar has some A318 for pure business class config to Europe?

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They learned it hard way; Only 80 A318s were built, with Avianca Group is the biggest operator, 25 A318s (Avianca Brazil-15 and Avianca Colombia-10).

Yes, same as B737-600 too heavy to make any significant. Avianca Group is shedding some of theirs too.

 

Those BA has a handful of them for operating into LCY London City Airport? IIRC... Qatar has some A318 for pure business class config to Europe?

BA has two G-EUNA, G-EUNB specifically for LCY operation. Qatar Airways pure J class operation is A319LR.

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The new CFM engine makes A319neo looks like A318ceo. Short and stubby! Lolx

And it makes the A321neo look just nice...

Edited by flee

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Its a good thing Airasia went with the CFM instead.

I think that was a no brainer for Airasia as it is already a CFM operator on the A320ceo's. Furthermore TF is a self confessed GE fanboy.

 

The CFM LEAP-1A engine uses many of the technologies that are now proven on the B787's GEnX engine. It has a sound foundation while new developments further enhance its performance and reliability. Of course, the CFM has some issues too - but these are minor compared to what the PW1100G is experiencing.

 

PW has a history of botching up new engine introductions. Its previous effort, the IAE V2500, was a joint venture involving Rolls Royce, Japanese Aero Engines and MTU. So, it has a 100% stake in a small engine for narrow bodies for the first time in many years. This may be stretching its resources too far.

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Airbus delivers first ever A321neo to Virgin America

 

csm_VirginAmerica_A321neo_01_84ab420906.

 

• Aircraft powered by CFM engines boosts fuel efficiency by at least 15 percent
• Significant reductions in emissions and noise

20 APRIL 2017 PRESS RELEASE
Airbus has delivered the first-ever A321neo. The latest generation aircraft powered by CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines was handed over to U.S. airline Virgin America, an all-Airbus operator, at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.
“After Virgin America having been the first customer signing for the A320neo back in December 2010, we are today delighted to deliver the first A321neo to them,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and President Commercial Aircraft. “With our largest, latest, most fuel efficient NEO Single Aisle aircraft we are turning a new page. The new A321neo powered by next generation CFM LEAP-1A engines guarantees new levels of efficiency and longer range to its operators, greater comfort to the flying public and less emissions and noise to the airport communities. Thanks to its cutting edge technologies it is today the most eco-sensitive Single Aisle aircraft available.”
The A320neo significantly reduces noise levels, generating only half the noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft. Equipped with fuel-saving Sharklet wingtip devices nitrous oxide emissions are 50 percent below regulatory requirements as outlined by the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). In addition, the aircraft with LEAP-1A engines is proven to deliver at least a 15 percent fuel savings compared to Virgin America’s current generation aircraft, which is equivalent to cutting 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions with each plane every year.
“We have been with Virgin America from the beginning and we are excited to launch this new chapter in that relationship,” said Gael Meheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “The LEAP-1A has done extremely well in its first months of commercial service. It is proving unprecedented levels of fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility while maintaining the level of reliability Virgin America has come to expect from CFM. We think they will be very pleased with all this engine has to offer.”
The A321neo is the largest member of the A320neo Family. It covers the entire market, from high density to long-range thin routes. There are currently over 1,300 units on order.
“We are honored to be the first operator of this high in-demand aircraft,” said Virgin America President Peter Hunt, speaking at the ceremony attended by Virgin America teammates, Executives from Airbus, CFM and the aircraft lessor GECAS. “The new A321neo – the third member of the Airbus A320 Family to join our Virgin America fleet – will allow us to further reduce our unit costs and enable us to further reduce our carbon emissions.”
“Increased operational efficiency, productivity, and state-of-the-art technology -- this winning combination makes the A321neo an attractive investment for leasing companies like GECAS who are committed to meeting customers’ operational needs while providing the latest technology and a solid return on investment,” said Alec Burger, President and CEO at GECAS. “The low operating costs and reliability of the LEAP powered A320neo Family make it a strong asset in GECAS’ portfolio.”
Virgin America currently operates a fleet of 63 Airbus A320 family aircraft comprised of A319ceo and A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM’s CFM56-5B engines.
The new A321neo will become the largest aircraft in Virgin America’s fleet, featuring 185 seats - a 24 percent higher capacity at same comfort levels than its current A320s. Inside the cabin, Virgin America flyers will continue to enjoy three custom-designed classes of service, touch-screen personal entertainment and an on-demand food and cocktail menu on every flight in addition to power outlets at every seat. The aircraft is expected to enter service on May 31, 2017 with its inaugural flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
As first announced in April 2016, Virgin America was acquired by Alaska Air Group in December 2016.

 

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Nearly 70% of snag-prone Neo engines with Indian carriers changed

 

HIGHLIGHTS
  • PW has changed 38 engines in India so far on planes of IndiGo and GoAir
  • Technical snags in these engines reached an alarming rate
  • The problems are, however, yet to be contained fully

 

See:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/nearly-70-of-snag-prone-neo-engines-changed/articleshow/58352094.cms

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JetBlue switches A321neos as Pratt troubles persist

 

JetBlue Airways has switched its first three Airbus A321neos to the A321ceos, in what it calls a "prudent" move as issues continue to be reported with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines that will power the airline's aircraft.

 

More:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jetblue-switches-a321neos-as-pratt-troubles-persist-436532/

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Interesting read, I seem to recall Scoot having similar issues with their Dreamliners and swapping engines around.

 

Think they recently leased a SQ 772 whilst a number of engines were replaced.

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A321neo-ACF-Roll-Out.jpg

 

Airbus rolls out first A321neo ACF

 

New evolution with longer range and higher capacity
Airbus has completed assembly of the first A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) at its facilities in Hamburg. The aircraft powered by CFM Leap-1A engines will undergo ground tests prior to its scheduled first flight in the coming weeks. First delivery of an A321neo ACF to a customer is scheduled for mid-2018.
The A321neo ACF is the latest addition to the successful A320 Family. By applying modifications to the fuselage the ACF enables more flexible cabin configurations for up to 240 passengers. Compared to the previous A321 variant, the most visible modifications are a new rear section and a modified passenger door configuration, where the door located forward of the wing is removed and new overwing emergency exits in the centre section are introduced. The A321neo ACF is an option today and will become standard for all A321neos around 2020.
The A321neo ACF is the base for a longer range variant known as the A321LR. The A321LR has an increased MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) of 97 tonnes and a third underfloor fuel tank allowing airlines to increase its range to 4,000nm for intercontinental flights. The first delivery of an A321LR is targeted for Q4 2018.
The A321 is the largest member of the A320 Family, seating up to 240 passengers, depending on cabin configuration. Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a reduction in fuel consumption of at least 15 per cent per seat from day one and 20 per cent by 2020.

http://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/01/airbus-rolls-out-first-a321neo-acf.html

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Issue identified with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines for Airbus's A320neo

 

(Reuters) - An issue has been identified on some recently delivered Pratt & Whitney (UTX.N) GTF engines for European planemaker Airbus’s (AIR.PA) A320neo aircraft, the two companies said on Friday

 

Pratt & Whitney said the problem related to the knife edge seal in the High Pressure Compressor (HPC) aft hub on the PW1100G-JM engine powering the A320neo.

 

Full report:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airbus-engine/issue-identified-with-pratt-whitney-gtf-engines-for-airbuss-a320neo-idUSKBN1FT2RP

Edited by flee

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Airbus stops accepting PW1100G engines for A320neo aircraft

 

Airbus decided to stop accepting additional Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines equipping its A320neo family aircraft, after a higher than normal number of inflight shutdowns and aborted takeoffs were reported on aircraft using the latest build-standard engines.
The problem involves the knife-edge seal in the high-pressure compressor aft hub and can potentially appear on engines starting with serial number P770450. 33 aircraft, according to Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

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