AIRBUS A320NEO WITH CFM LEAP-1A ENGINE CERTIFIED

The Airbus A320neo powered by the CFM LEAP-1A has received joint certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This paves the way for deliveries to those airlines which opted for the CFM engine. Airbus also offers the neo with the Pratt & Whitney PW1127G Geared Turbo Fan engine, which was certified in November 2015. The launch customer Germany’s Lufthansa was delivered its GTF equipped A320neo on January 20 this year. CFM is a joint venture between Snecma of France and the US GE Aviation. Its CFM56 engines which just crossed a record 800 million flight hours, power the current generation A320ceo and Boeing 737NG families.

The largest buyer of the CFM powered A320neo is Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia which can expect deliveries very soon. It is unclear whether the Tony Fernandes promoted airline’s Indian joint-venture, AirAsia India will receive any of the new aircraft soon. Its competitors IndiGo and GoAir have already taken delivery of four and one A320neo respectively, and will receive many more through the coming year.