From left to right: Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president, Lufthansa president Carsten Spohr, and Robert Leduc, Pratt & Whitney president

The Lufthansa Group, Airbus’ largest airline customer and operator, marks a major step in aviation history today by taking delivery of the first A320neo.

The new plane had already become the world’s best-selling and most fuel efficient single aisle aircraft.

Equipped with all new technology Pratt & Whitney PurePower Geared Turbofan engines, the A320neo sets a new, even higher standard in aircraft efficiency, reducing emissions and noise as well as burning 15 per cent less fuel than current generation aircraft from day one and 20 per cent less by 2020.

“We are happy that today we are the first airline worldwide to receive the Airbus A320neo. Featuring the leading technology of Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, the A320neo is by far the most efficient and most silent aircraft on short- and medium-haul routes.

“With lower fuel consumption and consequently lower CO2 emissions, the A320neo has a clearly improved environmental performance.

“Furthermore, the new jet engine technology makes the aircraft considerably quieter.

“As a result, we have ordered a total of 116 aircraft of this type for the airlines of the Lufthansa Group,” stated Carsten Spohr, chairman, Deutsche Lufthansa AG.

“Today we prove once again that as an aviation company and airline group we are pioneers in the development and introduction of technical innovations.

“In this year alone the Lufthansa Group will receive a total of 52 new aircraft, a number we have not received in years,” added Spohr.

The A320neo Family incorporates the very latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices.

With almost 4,500 orders received from nearly 80 customers since its launch in 2010, the A320neo Family has captured some 60 per cent share of the market.