Airbus is due to receive European Joint Aviation Authorities certification this week for its 107-seat A318. This follows an 850h flight-test programme involving two aircraft, which between them completed 360 flights. The CFM International CFM56-powered A318 is the first to receive approval and is due to be delivered to launch customer, US low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines, in July. US Federal Aviation Administration certification is expected soon. The Pratt & Whitney PW6000-powered A318 was also involved in the flight testing, but its certification has been delayed until the second half of 2005 while the engine is redesigned to improve its performance.
Source: Flight International
