Airbus secures certification for A320neo, paving way for first delivery of revamped best seller.
Airbus has received joint European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and FAA type certification for its Pratt & Whitney-powered A320neo.
The award means the new A320neo variant of the Euro Aviation giants best seller is now cleared for its first delivery
The Type Certificates were handed over to Airbus’ Executive Vice President Engineering, Charles Champion and Airbus A320neo Chief Engineer Pierre-Henri Brousse.
“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 A320neo successfully completed a rigorous programme of certification which tested its airframe and systems well beyond their design limits to ensure the aircraft successfully met all airworthiness criteria.
The three flight test aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney engines successfully accumulated over 1,070 flight hours in some 350 flights. Of these 1,070 flight test hours, 300 were completed with the same aircraft in an airline like environment to ensure operational maturity at entry into service.
“This double seal of approval represents a great achievement for Airbus. It demonstrates the A320neo is meeting all requirements. The A320neo is now cleared for its first delivery,” Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said.
Airbus has accumulated over 1,070 flight hours and 350 flights during the A320neo flight test program, which involved three Pratt & Whitney-powered test aircraft.
One of these aircraft racked up 300 hours of the total flight test time to ensure operational maturity at entry into service.
The A320neo features new engines and Sharklets which deliver more than 15% in fuel savings. This is expected to increase to 20% savings by 2020 as further cabin innovations come online.
Airbus launched the A320neo in December 2010 and has secured more than 4,300 orders from more than 75 customers to date.
Wing production for the A320 is being ramped up at the Airbus Broughton factory.
