Airbus A320Neo image courtesy Brian Griffin

International Airlines Group (IAG) carrier British Airways has commenced Airbus A320/321Neo operations on its London Heathrow to Dublin route with effect from 28 March ahead of start of official IATA Summer schedule on 31 March.

G-TTND Airbus A320-251N MSN 8308 operated the first service to Dublin as BAW85Q.  The aircraft’s first flight was 27th June 18 and delivered Toulouse to London Heathrow on 26h July 18.

British Airways currently has 14 Airbus A320NEO Family in service 10 x A320NEO and and 4 x 321NEO powered by CFM LEAP 1A engines. The airline has total orders for 25 Airbus A320Neo’s and 10 Airbus A321Neo’s.

The A320neo Family will offer up to 20% in fuel burn savings per seat by 2020, two tonnes of additional payload, 500 nautical miles of more range, lower operating costs, along with a nearly 50% reduction in engine noise and NOx emissions 50% below the current industry standard.  A key contributor to the NEO’s performance is the aircraft Sharklets. These 2.4-metre-tall wingtip devices are standard on NEO aircraft, and result in up to 4% reduced fuel burn over longer sectors, corresponding to an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of around 900 tonnes per aircraft.

Irish Aviation Research Institute © 14 April 2019 All Rights Reserved