OREANDA-NEWS.   Decision taken: Forty new aircraft from the Airbus A320neo family that the Lufthansa Group ordered in 2013 will be equipped with the quiet, fuel-efficient LEAP-1A engines from CFM International. The cutting-edge aero-engine sets new standards for noise reduction: It is significantly quieter than conventional CFM engines of the type CFM56-5B and halves the noise footprint produced by an aircraft during take-off and landing. This is a significant improvement for those living near airports.

In terms of fuel-efficiency, these next-generation engines have also taken another great step forward. Compared with conventional CFM engines, they consume 15 per cent less fuel, reducing carbon dioxide emissions accordingly. Nitrogen oxide emissions are even reduced by 22 per cent thanks to a new combustion chamber, the TAPS II (twin-annular, pre-mixing swirler).

“The LEAP-1A engine brings us a great step further in our efforts to keep reducing noise and environmental pollution. In aviation, investing in new technologies is the best strategy for protecting the environment and people,” said Nico Buchholz, Head of Group Fleet Management at the Lufthansa Group.

Altogether the Lufthansa Group has placed firm orders for 100 aircraft from the Airbus A320neo family in recent years. For 60 aircraft of this type ordered in 2011, the Group has already chosen PW1199G engines from Pratt & Whitney, which have comparable figures for operational and environmental performance. Together with the current LEAP-1A order, this will give Lufthansa the two best and most efficient engines on the market for its A320neo family.

“Capital expenditure on this scale can only be funded in the long run by a highly profitable, financially stable aviation company. It shows the vital importance of having a healthy European airline industry,” said Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO, Lufthansa Group. “One prerequisite is that airlines are not deprived of the necessary funds by special taxes, such as the German air traffic tax.”

The latest engine order is worth more than EUR 1 billion at list prices. This investment is already included in the published figures for new aircraft orders. In addition to its economic and ecological benefits, the order will strengthen the competence of Lufthansa Technik in the maintenance of next-generation aero-engines from all the major manufacturers.