Successful first flight for the A320neo !
Thursday September 25th saw a key milestone for the A320neo with the aircraft's first flight in Toulouse, south-western France.
At noon local time, a large crowd of officials and aviation enthusiasts came together to see the aircraft take off for the first time. The two-hour test flight was successful from start to finish.
Thales is present on board, having provided enhanced versions of existing products, including a new flight control computer. As such, Thales supplies avionics to every Airbus aircraft, including the A330 Family, A380 and A350 XWB. Thales is also a key avionics supplier on the A400M programme.
The A320neo (New Engine Option) comprises new engines, sharklets and in-cabin innovations, all of which combine to reduce fuel consumption by 20% per seat, i.e. the equivalent of 5,000 tons of CO2 per aircraft per annum.