Lufthansa, together with Airbus and the Pratt & Whitney engine manufacturer, is celebrating the delivery of the world’s first Airbus A320neo.

Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa chairman, Airbus president Fabrice Brégier and the president of Pratt & Whitney, Robert Leduc, invited 700 guests and media representatives to the official delivery at Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

Following the ceremonial handover, the first two new-type airplanes were presented to the public.

The first A320neo, with the registration D-AINA, has already flown scheduled service since January.

The second “neo” is expected to complement the Lufthansa Airbus fleet soon.

The first experiences with the A320neo clearly show that the 15 per cent lower fuel consumption mark has not only been achieved but even slightly exceeded.

The significantly quieter engines also increase customer comfort on-board and provide relief to residents near airports by reducing noise emissions.

The development and introduction of the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft on short and medium distances is further evidence of the successful cooperation in the aviation industry at European level.

“Europe has been a leader in this fascinating industry since the early days of aviation,” said Spohr.

“Lufthansa and Airbus have developed a trusting and productive 40-year partnership.

“Together we have pushed ahead and brought to market many innovations and contributed to the success of the European aerospace industry.

“With new and efficient aircraft, such as the A320neo and the A350 XWB, we set new standards for our passengers, while reducing the impact on the environment and, not least of all, on the people living near airports.”

This afternoon, the A320neo will take off from the Airbus facilities in Hamburg-Finkenwerder as a special flight with flight number LH9917 with guests and media representatives on board and fly with a short stop in Hamburg’s City Airport Fuhlsbüttel towards Frankfurt.

The Lufthansa Group has ordered a total of 116 A320neos and A321neos, to be delivered in the next years.

Some 60 aircraft will be delivered with the new PW1100G-JM engine from Pratt & Whitney.

A special intermediary 3:1 gear conversion system ensures optimum speed of the 2.06 meter-cross-section fans and the turbine inside the engine.

The new engines and improved aerodynamics allow a significant noise and emission reduction.