Brussels Airlines received its first Airbus A320neo on November 1st, a plane that is also the first factory-fresh aircraft delivered by Airbus to the airline. The narrowbody is configured with 180 seats in a single class layout.
The Belgium’s national airline is due to receive four other A320neos from Airbus to replace some of its A319s by the end of 2024, all from the Lufthansa Group’s order book. The Brussels Airlines board of directors approved the integration of two additional Airbus A320neos compared to its initial needs for three units at the end of last year.
“It is crucial for us to modernize our fleet to be able to reduce our carbon footprint. The A320neo reduces both noise and CO2 footprint significantly compared to the current generation of A320s. We are happy to get the first brand-new aircraft directly from Airbus in Toulouse, to be followed by 4 more by the end of next year. This is a milestone in our history, so today is really a moment of pride.” announced Dorothea von Boxberg, the CEO of Brussels Airlines.
The Maintenance & Engineering division of Brussels Airlines will carry out a few remaining upgrades on the aircraft in the coming weeks, after which the first commercial flight will take place.
Unlike the A320neos of Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian, the new aircraft of Brussels Airlines will be powered by LEAP-1A engines from CFM International, the 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. The LEAP family is therefore also officially making its entry into the Lufthansa Group.
Brussels Airlines also operates 16 A319s and 18 A320s for its medium-haul network, all powered with CFM56 engines.
