The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have granted a joint type certification to Airbus' A321neo aircraft, which is equipped with CFM International's LEAP-1A engines.

Certification was granted after the A321neo completed a certification programme, which saw the plane accumulate more than 400 flight hours over 160 flights.

The programme has also validated the aircraft airframe and systems to meet all the necessary airworthiness criteria.

A321neo aircraft are currently available with two engine options: CFM’s LEAP-1A, and Pratt & Whitney’s Pure Power PW1100G-JM engine.

Airbus commercial aircraft president Fabrice Brégier said: “The A321neo offers operators the perfect balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and environmental performance.

“It is the clear market leader in the 200-plus seat category.”

"The A321neo offers operators the perfect balance between fuel efficiency, comfort and environmental performance; it is the clear market leader in the 200-plus seat category."

The company has received more than 5,000 orders for the A320neo family aircraft so far, from 92 customers worldwide.

Airbus is also set to establish an ad hoc civil aeronautical industry working group with its Japanese counterparts, as part of an agreement signed between France and Japan.

The memorandum of cooperation (MoC) was signed between the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan (METI) and France's Directorate General for Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE).

Airbus and Japan are expected to form cooperation in the fields of material, aircraft system and equipment as part of the deal, as well as manufacturing technologies for the development of future Airbus aircraft.


Image: An A321neo aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Airbus S.A.S.