IndiGo buys 430 Airbus A320neos; find out what's so special about this plane

Budget carriers IndiGo and GoAir on Monday said they will continue to get Airbus A320neo delivered as per the schedule, said the media report.

Last week, GoAir welcomed its first A320neo plane at the Indira Gandhi international Airport, becoming second operator to have this latest fuel-efficient aircraft from the European aviation major, Airbus.

The Mumbai-based airline had, in June 2011, placed order for 72 new A320neo aircraft, valued at about Rs 32,400 crore on list price, with Airbus. 

On the other hand, IndiGo, which plans to become all-neo fleet by 2022, has currently three A320neo planes. The company has already placed order of 430 such planes. 

As per the reports, on Friday, Qatar Airways cancelled its first order of Airbus A320 neo order due to engine issues. 

What is A320neo?

Manufactured by European company Airbus, A320neo (New Engine Option), is the latest product by the company which started developing in 2010. The company has an orders from over 4500 firms as of April 2016.

The Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1100G-JM -powered, A320neo variant received its European and US certification in November 2015.

"The A320neo is the latest of many product upgrades as Airbus continues to invest approximately 300 million euros a year in the A320 Family to maintain its position as the most advanced and fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft product line available today", said Airbus in its official site.

Lufthansa became the first firm to get the delivery of A320 neo on January 20, 2016.

Features:

This single-aisle jetliner A320neo Family incorporates a host of innovations, including latest generation engines and large Sharklet wing-tip devices, the statement said adding these allow for 15% in fuel savings from day one and 20% by 2020.

Airbus in its official website mentioned that, "Airbus plans to increase the exit door limits for NEO jetliners, taking advantage of innovative new cabin equipment, fixtures and seat designs to deliver increased efficiency for operators, while retaining the company’s modern comfort standard of 18-inch wide seats for passengers".

The NEO family has three versions: A319neo, A320neo and A321neo, which share 95% spares commonality with existing A320ceo (current engine option) aircraft.

A320neo is made with more aluminium alloys and other composite materials which makes it less heavier and reduce the fuel consumption.