Brussels Airlines Accepts First Airbus A320neo Aircraft

Brussels Airlines, the home carrier of Belgium, recently received its first brand-new Airbus A320neo, marking the beginning of a phase of growth and sustainability for the airline. This new addition is the first of five A320neo aircraft that will join the airline’s fleet. Brussels Airlines’ maintenance and engineering team will conduct the remaining upgrades on the aircraft in the coming weeks. Following this, the first commercial flight will take place.

Brussels Airlines will add four more Airbus A320neo aircraft by the end of 2024, reducing CO2 and noise emissions on medium-haul flights.

Brussels Airlines connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 85 destinations, 17 of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. The airline operates 39 aircraft, including Airbus A319s, A320ceos, and A330-300s. So, it’s worth noting that this delivery marks a departure from their practice of acquiring owned planes, showcasing a notable shift in their strategy.

Designed to be more fuel efficient than its predecessors, the A320neo offers a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to previous-generation aircraft. This reduction is expected to lead to a 30% decrease in fuel consumption per seat, contributing significantly to carbon emission reductions. That’s one of the main reasons why, with over 9,700 orders from over 130 customers worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s most popular aircraft type.

Equipped with CFM International’s LEAP 1A engine and larger engines overall, the A320neo is estimated to save around 3,700 tons of carbon equivalents per plane annually. Furthermore, this aircraft has an increased range, providing more flexibility for airline routes. The airplane’s sharklets, which are wingtips measuring 2.40 meters in length, are expected to result in a carbon equivalent reduction of 800 tons.

The A320neo has a 50% reduction in noise compared to older planes, promising a quieter and comfier journey. Plus, the redesigned luggage spaces have grown by 40%, fitting in 60% more bags making boarding smoother and the cabin less chaotic. The cabin lighting adjusts to the passenger’s body clock, with warm oranges or cooler blues depending on the time of day or flight phase. The A320neo has a seating capacity of 180 passengers.

Dorothea von Boxberg, the CEO of Brussels Airlines, expressed her gratitude to Lufthansa Group for their support in helping the airline achieve its goal of modernizing its fleet and reducing its carbon footprint. She emphasized that this achievement is a milestone for the airline and a testament to the strong partnership between Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Group.

By 2030, Brussels Airlines, following the strategy of its parent company, Lufthansa, wants to cut its carbon emissions by half compared to 2019, and it’s even aiming to be totally carbon neutral by 2050. Getting these new planes is a big part of their plan.

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Vincenzo Claudio Piscopo

Vincenzo graduated in 2019 in Mechanical Engineering with an aeronautical curriculum, focusing his thesis on Human Factors in aircraft maintenance. In 2022 he pursued his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Palermo, Italy. He combines his journalistic activities with his work as a Reliability Engineer at Zetalab.

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