Airlines Loong Air takes delivery of first LEAP-1A powered A320neo in China
Chinese operator Zhejiang Loong Air has received its first Airbus A320neo. The aircraft is also the first A320neo in China that is being powered by LEAP-1A engines.
The aircraft was delivered from the Airbus final assembly line in Tianjin, China. Loong Air is the launch customer of the LEAP-1A powered A320neo. The delivery was celebrated during a ceremony held in Hangzhou. The introduction of the new aircraft will provide Loong Air with a good capacity guarantee for its intended and steady development.
In order to ensure the safe operation of the new aircraft, Loong Air has made several preparations such as educating new personnel and bettering the maintenance circumstances. Loong Air will deploy its A320neo aircraft on the route from Hangzhou to Guangzhou, as well as on other business routes. During the year, the carrier hopes to receive eight more A320neos.
Liu Qihong, chairman of Zhejiang Loong Airlines, said: "We are very pleased to further expand our relationship with CFM [...] As the LEAP-1A launch customer in China, we chose the engine because of its anticipated high utilization and fuel efficiency, as well as the environmental technologies CFM incorporated. All of these factors will not only keep our costs in check but also help protect the environment with less noise and fewer emissions."
During the Zhuhai Air Show in 2014, Loong Air announced, that it intended to use CFM´s LEAP-1A engines for nine of its Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International, added: "I am pleased to be here today in beautiful Hangzhou to represent the CFM Team as we celebrate the delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo in China […] We have been with Loong Air from the very beginning and I cannot help but be impressed by what this airline has accomplished in less than five years. It is an honour to be part of this great team."
Loong Air is a Chinese airline with headquarters in Hangzhou which is located in the Zhejiang area. Operational base is Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. The carrier operates with one Airbus A320neo and 28 Airbus A320ceo. Furthermore, a sole Boeing 737-300F is being used for freight operations. Loong Air serves 25 destinations in two countries and was originally founded in 2012 as cargo airline.
Source © loongair.cn