Qantas A320 Neo

Qantas Group has placed an order worth $2bn with GE Aviation in Australia for the supply of advanced LEAP-1A engines and spare engines to power its fleet of 78 Airbus A320neo aircraft currently on order.

CFM International, which is a joint venture between GE and French aerospace firm Safran, will develop about 156 engines and spares which will enter service under the wings of A320-neos.

CFM claims that the Qantas’ order brings the total LEAP orders and commitments to about 3,500 engines.

Qantas Group chief executive officer, Alan Joyce, said: "The LEAP engine was chosen for our new A320neo aircraft because of its performance, fuel efficiency and maintenance programme."

The new-generation LEAP-1A jet engine will offer 15% lower fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. It will also offer 50% lower nitrogen emissions and a 75% reduction in engine noise when compared with CFM’s current engines.

Qantas said that the 15% fuel reduction will offer a huge cost saving, as it currently spends about $4bn a year on jet fuel.

Qantas’ low-fare subsidiary Jetstar will receive the first aircraft powered by LEAP-1A engines in 2016.

The LEAP-1A being an option on the Airbus A320neo, the company’s LEAP-1B and LEAP-1C will be used to power the Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919, respectively.

CFM is also powering the Qantas’ fleet of 50 Boeing 787 aircraft on order, and earlier, had powered its Boeing 737 fleet.

Qantas’ contract with airbus comprises the order for 110 A320 Family aircraft, comprising of 78 A320neo and 32 A320s, which will be used for the airlines’ fleet renewal and expansion plans.

 

Image: The first aircraft for Jetstar, powered by LEAP-1A engines, is scheduled for delivery by 2016. Photo: Airbus.