First Deliveries Planned For Later This Year

The FAA and EASA have both certified the second engine option for the Airbus A320neo. Both agencies have approved CFM International’s LEAP-1A engine for use on the aircraft. This certification paves the way for the delivery of the first A320neo equipped with this engine type in mid-2016.

The award follows by six months the initial Certificate of Airworthiness received from the EASA and FAA for the A320neo, powered by the Pratt & Whitney engine option. The first A320neo was delivered on 20th January 2016.

“This key milestone for the A320neo program, and its second engine option – the specially developed LEAP-1A, is a double seal of approval by the two major international governing bodies and comes after the A320neo Family had successfully accomplished a rigorous programme of certification trials," said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus’ President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to the entry into service of LEAP-powered models in the very near future.”

The two LEAP-powered aircraft assigned to the flight test campaign have now successfully accumulated over 1,000 flight hours in more than 350 flights – including 150 flight hours completed with the same aircraft in an airline-like environment to ensure operational maturity at entry into service. Certification of the remaining aircraft/engine variants with LEAP engines will follow in the coming months. When all flight testing has been completed, the NEO development fleet (with both engine options) will have achieved a combined total of 3,000 flight hours.

CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.

(Image provided with Airbus news release)

FMI: www.airbus.com