AIRBUS | A320 News & Discussion

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[Equario]

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Boeing, Airbus seeks Chinese buyers for new plane models
(China Daily USA Edition, May 17)

The two main international makers of aircraft, France-based Airbus SAS and US-based Boeing Co, plan to bring improved versions of their single-aisle aircraft to the Chinese market.

The two manufacturers are working to find their first Chinese buyers of the planes, Boeing's 737 MAX and Airbus' A320neo.


According to a Boeing market analysis, China will need 3,550 single-aisle aircraft by 2030, of which only 20 percent will be used as replacements.
Airbus also forecast in February that the Asia-Pacific region will need 5,720 single-aisle aircraft in the next 20 years and that China will be one of the main markets for those products.


"Narrow-body aircraft always do well on high-frequency short routes and there are many such routes in China," said Simon Booker, director of aviation department of the professional services firm KPMG Asia-Pacific.


The current single-aisle models produced by Boeing and Airbus were all introduced in the 1990s.


Rather than design completely new planes at a great cost, both manufacturers chose to improve the existing models, which already command a large market share.


On April 11, Boeing released its conceptual design for the 737 MAX, an improved model of the 737 Boeing's most popular line of aircraft. By January, Boeing had received 9,800 orders for 737s and had delivered more than 7,000 of them.


Compared with current 737s, the 737 MAX will contain a larger and more efficient engine built by CFM International, a joint venture formed between divisions of the US-based General Electric Co and France-based Safran Group.


With the new engine and other design changes, the 737 MAX's fuel costs will be about 11 percent lower than the current 737 NG aircraft's, said Randy Tinseth, vice-president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes' marketing department.


As the rising price of fuel and the demand for reducing emissions become more important to the aviation industry, manufacturers are working harder to make their aircraft more efficient.


"A320neo's fuel costs can be 15 percent lower than the current A320 aircraft's," said Luo Chong, director of Airbus China's airline marketing department.


A320neo - the "neo" stands for "new engine options" - will give customers a choice of two different engines. One will be the same as used in the 737 MAX and the other will be the PW1100G, which is made by the US-based Pratt & Whitney Group.


Airbus' decision to introduce the A320neo was made in 2010, almost a year earlier than Boeing released its plans to build the 737 MAX. The first A320neo will be delivered in 2015, two years before the first 737 MAX.


The schedule gives Airbus an advantage in the two companies' competition to win international orders. From the end of 2010 to the end of February, 24 airlines made 1,289 confirmed orders and 266 commitment orders for the A320neo.


Meanwhile, by the end of February, 1,000 confirmed and commitment orders had come in for the 737 MAX.


Media outlets have reported that Xiamen Airlines Co Ltd, which has a fleet composed completely of Boeing aircraft, may be the first Chinese customer to buy the 737 MAX and that the two companies discussed such a purchase when Che Shanglun, general manger of the airline, attended Boeing's annual meeting in February.


Meanwhile, Airbus introduced the A320neo to Sichuan Airlines Co Ltd, which has an all Airbus-aircraft fleet, in April.


"The A320neo is not an option that is out of the bounds of consideration for Sichuan Airlines since we are working on doubling the size of our fleet by 2015," said Zhong Bin, vice-general manager of Sichuan Airlines' technical department.


But the carrier has not ordered the plane yet and its purchasing plans for the next three years are already complete, he said.


Even so, airlines still have many outstanding orders for single-aisle aircraft and thus still have an opportunity to modify them in favor of the improved models.


Boeing is confident the 737 MAX will perform well in the market and Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, forecast that Chinese airlines will order 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft this year.


Experts said manufacturers should pay more attention to Chinese airlines' special demands.


"Safety, price and after-sales services are all things Chinese airlines consider and both of the manufacturers can meet those needs of airlines," said Li Xiaojin, a professor at the Tianjin-based Civil Aviation University of China.


The list prices of the 737 MAX and A320neo are similar - about $95 million.

wangwen@chinadaily.com.cn

http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/busi...t_15316882.htm

[Deadeye Reloaded]

Good news for the A320neo!

Norwegian firms up order for 100 Airbus A320neo

New Airbus customer in Norway

8 June 2012 Press Release

Norwegian, one of the largest low cost carriers in Europe, has firmed up its order for 100 A320neo aircraft with Airbus. This follows a commitment signed in January. The order makes Norwegian a new Airbus customer, and as well, one of the biggest A320neo customers.



Norwegian (the brand name of Norwegian Air Shuttle AS) operates a network across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East, and is rapidly expanding its low cost operations. The new aircraft will feature a single class cabin layout, seating approximately 180 passengers. The A320neo will support the carrier’s growth and modernization strategy.

“We are very pleased to be an Airbus customer and look forward to a close cooperation with a world-leading aircraft manufacturer. This order gives us an opportunity to secure and invest in the company's future,” said Norwegian's CEO Bjørn Kjos. "Brand new, fuel-efficient aircraft are necessary for us to continue to grow. From an environmental perspective, we know that Airbus is continuously working on measures to reduce emissions, making new aircraft a win-win for both the environment, our passengers and for us as a company,” Kjos said.

“We are very pleased to welcome Norwegian as an all-new Airbus customer”, said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A320neo sets new industry standards for eco-efficiency and passenger appeal. Norwegian will become among the first airlines in Scandinavia to benefit from the A320neo’s increased capabilities, including a 15 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions” said John Leahy.

The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family entering into service from 2015 and incorporates latest generation engines and large "Sharklet" wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel savings. The reduction in fuel burn is equivalent to 1.4 million litres of fuel - the consumption of 1,000 mid size cars, saving 3,600 tonnes of C02 per aircraft per year. The A320neo NOx emissions are 50% below CAEP/6, and this aircraft also has a considerably smaller noise footprint.

[...]

[everywhere]

Airbus' final assembly line at its Tianjin, China, factory is scheduled to deliver its 100th A320 this fall but the manufacturer has yet to secure a partner for its continued operation past 2016.

"We [have] already delivered 89 aircraft since our first one on June 23, 2009," Airbus president-China Laurence Barron told journalists in Beijing this week. This year, 38 aircraft will be delivered - including the first one to a non-Chinese airline, AirAsia. "Our target is to deliver four aircraft per month and a total of 47 aircraft in 2013," Barron said.

However, the Tianjin factory -- a joint venture between Airbus and partners including China Aviation Industry Corps. (AVIC I and II) and Tianjin Free Trade Zone -- faces an uncertain future in 2016 when its contract expires after the delivery of its 284th aircraft.

The factory opened in September 2008; as of March, Airbus had delivered 80 A320 family airliners assembled in Tianjin.

"This year, the company will break even, Barron said, adding the manufacturer has started talks with its partners about the factory's future. "We will wait and see what happens," he said.

As the Chinese market continues to grow, Barron said mainland China has become the world's second market for new aircraft deliveries after the U.S. "And it is getting close to number one.

Mainland China will need 3,832 new passenger and freighter aircraft over the next 20 years, which is a market value of US$509 billion - a very significant market for us," he said.

Chinese carriers operate 805 Airbus aircraft in China.

The European manufacturer has 15 Chinese customers and orders for 356 aircraft, mainly A320s. However, Barron said Airbus is seeing a demand for very large aircraft, such as the A380, but so far China Southern is the only Chinese carrier to order the type.

The A330 is becoming popular with Chinese carriers, which have around 100 of the type in service and 71 orders. Barron told ATW there are no plans to produce the A330 in China.

The Chinese government has blocked 45 A330 orders for Chinese carriers because of the escalating dispute over the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme carbon tax.

http://www.wcarn.com/cache/news/19/19783.html

[everywhere]

Airbus and Air Canada make North America's first "perfect flight"
(WCARN.com, Airbus PR, June 18)

Airbus and Air Canada are performing today North America's first "Perfect Flight" over international borders, with the goal of cutting CO2 emissions by more than 40 percent compared to a regular flight.


The commercial flight on an Airbus A319 aircraft from Toronto, Canada to Mexico City will combine the use a modern, state-of-the-art aircraft, powered by sustainable alternative fuels, guided by streamlined Air Traffic Management procedures and facilitated through best practice operations to under-pin the industry's four pillar strategy to tackle carbon emissions.

The Air Canada flight (AC991) is the second leg out of a series of four biofuel flights taking the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Raymond Benjamin to Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20).


The flight combines best operational and environmental practices available today. Dubbed as "Perfect Flight", it includes:


1). Operation of the most eco-efficient aircraft family in its market segment.


2). Use of sustainable bio-fuel blend (a 50 percent blend) made from used cooking oil supplied by SkyNRG.


3). Optimized routings and flight altitude. In agreement with the Air Traffic Management authorities, the Airbus A319 will fly the most direct route, using the most efficient vertical flight profile and applying a Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) into Mexico City to save fuel and limit noise.


4). Combination of several eco-efficient operational procedures such as single engine-taxiing, external aircraft cleaning for improved aerodynamics, light weight cabin equipment and a neatly tailored flight plan.


"Today's flight with Air Canada proves that the aviation industry is in a strong position to reduce emissions and fly many more Perfect Flights," said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.



"To make this a day-to-day commercial reality, it requires now a political will to foster incentives to scale up the use of sustainable biofuels and accelerate modernization of the air-traffic-management system. We need a clear endorsement by governments and all aviation stakeholders to venture beyond today's limitations."


"Air Canada fully accepts its responsibility to reduce its footprint and our first flight using biofuel tangibly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the environment. Since 1990 our airline has become 30 per cent more fuel efficient and we are determined to increase these gains through cutting-edge measures such as those being showcased with this Airbus A319 Toronto-Mexico City flight, our greenest ever," said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada.



As a leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus is in pursuit of the "Perfect Flight" and believes that its scale-up can start today to shrink the environmental footprint of an aircraft's flight to a minimum. More than 90 percent of Airbus Research & Technology investments are for the benefit of the environment.



Airbus is committed to meet the industry targets: to grow carbon neutral by 2020 while improving fuel efficiency by 1.5 percent per year.

http://www.wcarn.com/cache/news/19/19856.html

[Deadeye Reloaded]

Airbus will build a new assembly line for the A320 in the great state of Alabama in the United States of America!

Airbus to build 1st US assembly plant in Alabama

By MELISSA NELSON-GABRIEL - Associated Press

Monday, Jul. 02, 2012

MOBILE, Ala. -- In the battle to dominate the global aviation industry, European aerospace giant Airbus announced its first assembly plant in the United States on Monday, a symbolic and significant step in the competition with archrival Boeing.



The French-based company said the Alabama plant is expected to cost $600 million to build and will employ 1,000 people when it reaches full production, likely to be four planes a month by 2017.

"We are going to create great jobs and generate growth right here," Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier said at the convention center in Mobile, where many of the 2,000 people in attendance waved American flags as music played in the background.

[...]

Airbus plans to manufacture the A320, a widely used plane flown by Delta Air Lines, US Airways and others. The 150-seat plane is generally used on short- and medium-haul flights, and Airbus makes more of them than any of its other planes. They retail for $88 million, although discounts are common for big customers.

The Mobile operation will join Airbus assembly plants in in Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Tianjin, China.

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[...]

[Equario]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Airbu...e949b0941e4d9f






http://www.airliners.net/photo/Airbu...e949b0941e4d9f

[Equario]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar...1d3b3dd8a15739





http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar...1d3b3dd8a15739





http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar...1d3b3dd8a15739

[fozzy]

Looking good with the sharklets

[Deadeye Reloaded]

Thread name was changed! Thanky you very much, ChrisZwolle!

[Vrooms]

AirAsia first to operate A320 with Sharklets

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by Equario

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Qatar...1d3b3dd8a15739

The sharklet is the thing attached to the top of the tail? What is it supposed to do?

[Space Invader]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

The sharklet is the thing attached to the top of the tail? What is it supposed to do?

The sharklets are the winglets you can see at the end of the wings, it's just called sharklet because Airbus wanted to dissociate them from boeing's.
It is supposed to reduce fuel burn by 3%.
The thing you're talking about is usually on test planes, but I have no idea what is it for, anyone??

[future.architect]

Originally Posted by Space Invader

The thing you're talking about is usually on test planes, but I have no idea what is it for, anyone??

The orange thing on the tail is some kind of pressure sensor used on test flights.

[Equario]

First A321 with sharklets



http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untit...333a2464343bae

[Space Invader]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...8AB18420121112

Mexican airline Interjet orders 40 new Airbus planes

(Reuters) - Mexican airline Interjet said on Monday it placed an order for 40 A320 Airbus (EAD.PA) aircraft in its latest move to boost operations in a market led by carrier Aeromexico (AEROMEX.MX).

"Last Friday, we inked a contract to purchase 40 Airbus A320s, its new model," Interjet Chairman Miguel Aleman Velasco said during a business summit in the central industrial state of Queretaro.

Interjet, which launched operations in 2005 amid a surge of low-cost airlines in Mexico, operates 34 A320 in its fleet.

[Сталин]

Originally Posted by Deadeye Reloaded

Airbus will build a new assembly line for the A320 in the great state of Alabama in the United States of America!

Sign the New World Order is almost here... :l

[Equario]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untit...b6b2c389d3517c

[CxIxMaN]

AirAsia is the first airline to get the Sharklet A320! AirAsia's Christmas present? The timing could not be better it is to be delivered in 2 to 3 weeks time

Notice the new AirAsia livery
image hosted on flickr

AirAsia Airbus A320-216 cn 5428 F-WWIC // 9M-AQQ by Clément Alloing - AirTeamImages, on Flickr


http://www.airliners.net/photo/AirAs...216/2196897/L/
Officially the first A320 Sharklet to be delivered to an airline, the launch customer Air Asia. To be registered 9M-AQQ.