USA: Airbus To Delay IndiGo’s A320neo Delivery

According to a report from Reuters, Airbus has notified InterGlobe Aviation, Ltd., parent company of Indian Low-Cost carrier IndiGo Arlines, that its first A320neo will not be delivered on time due to “industrial reasons.”

The parent company said in a statement that “At this time, IndiGo does not have clear visibility of its future A320neo delivery schedule and the potential for additional delays exist.”

Earlier this month, Airbus confirmed that Lufthansa would become the launch operator of the A320neo, after Qatar Airways refused to take delivery of the airliner alleging the operational constraints related to the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.

A few weeks ago, the A320neo has been granted its certification type by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Last August, IndiGo finalized the purchase of 250 A320neos, which is to date Airbus’ largest order placed by number of airplanes. Currently, the Indian carrier has an all-Airbus fleet of 98 Airbus A320s, and has placed orders for 430 A320neos and 20 A321ceos (current engine option). According to Reuters, The airline was due to take delivery of its first A320neo on December 30.

The delays in the delivery of the A320neo may also affect American Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier Spirit, which will become the operator of the type in the Americas. The initial scheduled delivery of the airliner was January, but industry sources have reported that It will be moving to no earlier than March.