Airbus has offered a glimpse of its proposed A320 New Engine Option (NEO) - which appears to leave International Aero Engines out in the cold.
John Leahy, the EADS-owned airframer's chief salesman, unveiled an artist's impression of the re-engined narrowbody during a presentation at an EADS investor forum in Toulouse,
A slide exhibiting the aircraft outlines targeted efficiency gains over the current A320. The NEO would have a fuel burn around 15% lower than variants now in production. The bypass ratio would increase from five in the present generation of engines to between nine and 12. Fan diameter rises from around 1,600mm (64in) to 2,025mm (81in).
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The logos of powerplant manufacturers CFM International and Pratt & Whitney are prominent on the slide. Noticeably absent is that of IAE, a consortium in which P&W is partnered with Rolls-Royce, Japanese Aero Engine and MTU Aero Engines.
Airbus predicts a 15% reduction in specific fuel consumption from the new engines, and says its new sharklet winglets will add 3.5% in fuel-burn savings on long sectors, as well as improving field performance and noise levels.
Source: Flight International
