Aircraft
Airbus Remains Optimistic on A320neo Delivery Target
Despite engine issues, CEO Tom Enders calls plan to deliver 200 A320neo-family narrowbodies this year "a realistic target"
Russia's S7 Airlines took delivery of its first Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A320neo on July 19. (Photo: Airbus)
Russia's S7 Airlines took delivery of its first Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A320neo on July 19. (Photo: Airbus)

Airbus expressed confidence it can deliver 200 A320neos and 700 commercial aircraft overall this year despite continuing in-service problems plaguing A320neos powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans. The problems, ranging from carbon seal defects to premature combustor liner wear, mean that by the end of June the Toulouse, France-based manufacturer had delivered only a third of the GTF-powered aircraft it had expected to ship by now, while 30 to 35 remain parked without engines, Airbus CEO Tom Enders admitted in a call with analysts on Thursday. Neverthless, he said the 200-delivery projection for both GTF- and CFM Leap-1A-powered neos “is still a realistic target.”