The first A320neo aircraft for Japanese and Chinese airlines have been handed over to their respective operators.
Tokyo-based airline ANA took delivery of its first A320neo on 16th December, becoming the first A320neo operator in Japan.
ANA’s A320neo is configured for 146 passengers in a two-class cabin layout with 8 business class seats and 138 economy class seats. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM engines. ANA plans to start scheduled commercial services from Japan to Asian cities including China in January next year.
ANA Holdings, the parent company of ANA, placed orders for a total of 37 A320 Family aircraft including seven A320neos, 26 A321neos and four A321ceos in 2014 and 2015. The company also ordered three A380s this year.
Also on 16th December, AerCap Holdings announced the delivery of the first A320neo on lease to China Southern Airlines, making the airline the first carrier in China to operate the aircraft type.
The delivery took place at a ceremony in the Airbus delivery center in Hamburg. This is the first of twenty-four A320neo aircraft to deliver to China Southern Airlines by AerCap, delivering through 2019.
AerCap has a total of 219 A320neo Family aircraft owned and on order, for delivery through 2021. In 2016 AerCap delivered the first A320neo in North America, to Volaris followed by Spirit and Frontier Airlines.