Lufthansa takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo

 

Toulouse, France – The Lufthansa Group, Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, has taken delivery of the first A320neo, the new engine option of the A320 family single-aisle aircraft.

 

Equipped with Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan engines, the A320neo is expected to reduce emissions and noise as well as burning 15% less fuel than current generation aircraft and 20% less by 2020.

 

“We are happy that today we are the first airline worldwide to receive the Airbus A320neo,” said Carsten Spohr, chairman of the executive board and CEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

 

“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,” Spohr added.

 

Lufthansa Group’s Airbus orders have reached a combined total of 582 aircraft including 386 A320 family, of which 116 are NEOs (71 A320neo and 45 A321neo). 

 

“Pratt & Whitney congratulates Lufthansa as the launch customer for the A320neo aircraft powered by PW1100G-JM engines,” said Robert Leduc, Pratt & Whitney president. 

 

“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 family has received almost 4,500 orders from nearly 80 customers since its launch in 2010.