Airbus today officially launched the A321neo single aisle airliner with 97 tonnes Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW).
Airbus today officially launched the A321neo single aisle airliner with 97 tonnes Maximum Take Off Weight (MTOW).
The A321neo 97t will have 4000 nm range, the longest range of any single aisle airliner, making it ideally suited to transatlantic routes.
With an additional fuel tank in the forward underfloor hold of the aircraft, as well as minor improvements on the wing and fuselage, the A321neo 97 tonne will be able to fly 206 passengers on longer routes in a comfortable two-class layout. First deliveries will have started by 2019.
John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer – Customers, said the longer-range A321neo version extends the A320neo Family’s market reach, enabling this latest variant to operate on such flights as the U.S. East Coast to Europe; from Northern Europe to Asia; on routes between Australia and Southeast Asia; from Europe to the Middle East and West Africa; and north-south routes in the Americas.
“This aircraft goes after the market that everyone said needed a replacement: segments flown by the old 757-200s, where single-aisle jetliners are used on long-range operations,” said Leahy. “We foresee some 500 aircraft in replacement, but it’s more: there’s another 500 aircraft for growth from new market opportunities that can be flown by the long-range A321neo, which will burn about 30 per cent less fuel.”
Airbus also annouced the first commitment from Air Lease Corporation (ALC). The Los Angeles based lessor signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 30 more A321neo, upsizing its commitments at the 2014 Farnborough Airshow from 60 to 90 and becoming the launch customer for Airbus’ increased range option.
Under the assumption that ALC’s MoUs for 30 A321neo aircraft plus 25 A330neo Family become firm orders, ALC’s total orders for Airbus aircraft would stand at 258 (53 A320ceo Family, 140 A320neo Family, 15 A330 Family, 25 A350 XWB Family and 25 A330neo Family).
The newest member of the best-selling A320 Family, the A320neo (new engine option), incorporates new generation engines- either the CFM International LEAP-1A or the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G, and Sharklets which together will deliver 20 percent in fuel savings by 2020. At the end of December 2014, firm orders for the NEO reached over 3,600 aircraft from 70 customers.
