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THE AVIATION INDUSTRY watched with anticipation this week as French giants Airbus launched their new plane.
The A320neo is not, however a radical leap forward in terms of design. Nor is it a long-haul model.
While the industry’s biggest players, Airbus and rival Boeing, have spent the last decade and a half in a long-haul super-jumbo arms race (Airbus’ A380 and Boeing’s 787), the short-haul market, which makes up the bulk of aviation sales, has been largely neglected.
On Thursday, the NEO (New Engine Option) took off on its first test flight.
The difference between the NEO and the current fleet of A320s, of which Aer Lingus has 33, is that it is vastly more fuel efficient.
Airbus says that the new engine will lead to fuel savings of 15% initially and 20% eventually. Airbus says that this is done by “cabin innovations” and a better engine.
“The A320neo Family keeps getting better as we are continuously innovating both in cabin productivity and engine efficiency to stay ahead of the game,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer.
The plane manages to squeeze in nine extra seats, but only by moving things around, not by cutting down on the space in seats.
Airbus expects airlines to retire around 12,000 aircraft in the coming years and says that new demand for passenger aircraft wil mean $4.6 trillion in sales by 2033.
To date, firm orders for the NEO have reached 3,257 aircraft from 60 customers, including 80 from Irish-based leasing firms Avolon and GE Capital Aviation Services.
And the average price? $102.8 million per plane.
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Well done Mike. Well done
Back to the road for another 30
8)
Fair play to you Mike
Hang in there Mike my old buddy, – everything is going to be Ok.
We had some good times, and we’ll have them again…
@Moccy Fondoo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRAyszzlx2A
@Moccy Fondoo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Za_v8KjNQ
@Moccy Fondoo: love his music. thanks for the share. Looking out at the lakes of Killarney for inspiration. No wonder there brilliant songs. :-) Fair play to him.
Well done Mike. Fair play, a gentleman.
Hes very good. Good voice and his songs are very good as Well. Well done mick
Great article Well done for speaking out on depression
Legend of a man. One of the nicest guys in the business.
Met him at a gig lovely fella. Fair play Mick as someone who lost a family member to suicide I’m all for men speaking up about their battles.
A much needed article and very close to home.
Keep wearing out those takamine’s
Young man
Great read. Well done lad. And good luck.
The response to this article has been humbling to say the least , keep on listening to those you love , and be there for them when you can , it makes the world of difference that I can guarantee you ..
M
I’ve been inundated with contacts , since this article , and a lot of people looking for advice , and direction , I obviously cannot recommend MOJO enough , they were and are wonderful to me , but it all begins with talking , and it’s the most important thing , as simple as it may sound , equally as important is the art of listening , we all hear , it’s when we listen that we understand ……
Good for you BIG MAN!!!!
Delighted to hear about this initiative. Well done to all involved.
Thanks Mike. And well done.
Fantastic initiative – well done to all involved.
Fantastic initiative – well done to all.
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