News
CFM LEAP-1A A321neo clears EASA and FAA
March 3rd 2017
The CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A321neo, forecast to dominate future long-and-thin trans-Atlantic and trans-continental travel, on Wednesday received joint type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Read More »
The CFM-powered A321neo successfully completed a certification programme by accumulating more than 400 flight hours on more than 160 flights. The certification was the fourth in 15 months for re-engined Airbus single aisle aircraft. The A320neo has been certified with LEAP-1A and Pratt & Whitney’s (P&W’s) competing PW1100G geared turbofan (GTF) engines. The GTF-powered A321neo was certified last December.
"The A321neo offers operators the perfect balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and environmental performance. It is the clear market leader in the 200 plus seat category," said Fabrice Brégier, president of Airbus Commercial Aircraft.
The A320neo Family is the world's best-selling single aisle product line with more than 5,000 orders from 92 customers since it was launched. It has captured 60% of the market.
But the program is not without shortcomings. Launch customer Qatar Airways walked away from its first four A320neo orders because of deficiencies related to P&W’s GTFs. Hawaiian Airlines last month went on record and said it was disappointed its GTF-A321neos would be delayed by another three months to the fourth quarter of the year.
“[It] all but rules out our prior plan to have them in service for our busy winter peak,” Hawaiian CEO, Mark Dunkerley, said this week in a call with analysts and reporters. “The delay impacts our projected ASM growth for the year and of course the revenues we anticipate in the fourth quarter.”
Engine maker CFM is on a roll. Last year was very good for the Connecticut-headquartered manufacturer, with sales at a “near record” level. It booked 2,677 engine orders: 876 CFM56 engines (commercial, military and spares) and 1,801 LEAP engines (including commitments and spares). CFM is a 50–50 joint-venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aviation.
