Loong Air takes delivery of first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo in China

• The Chinese launch customer for the LEAP-1A
• First of 9 LEAP-powered aircraft on order

HANGZHOU, China — 31 May 2018 — Zhejiang Loong Airlines today took delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo aircraft from the Airbus Final Assembly facility in Tianjin, China. The airline will be the first in Greater China to operate the advanced engine/aircraft combination.

“We are very pleased to further expand our relationship with CFM,” said Liu Qihong, chairman of Zhejiang Loong Airlines. “As the LEAP-1A launch customer in China, we chose the engine because of its anticipated high utilization and fuel efficiency, as well as the environmental technologies CFM incorporated. All of these factors will not only keep our costs in check but also help protect the environment with less noise and fewer emissions.”

Loong Air launched the LEAP-1A in China when the airline announced an order for engines to power 9 Airbus A320neo aircraft at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2014.

“I am pleased to be here today in beautiful Hangzhou to represent the CFM Team as we celebrate the delivery of the first LEAP-1A-powered A320neo in China,” said Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International. “We have been with Loong Air from the very beginning and I cannot help but be impressed by what this airline has accomplished in less than five years. It is an honor to be part of this great team.”

“I am very proud to be here to celebrate this first delivery to Loong Air,” said Weiming Xiang, president of Greater China for CFM parent company GE Aviation. “Our promise to Loong Air is we will continue to deliver the level of support that they come to expect from CFM and do all we can to help ensure a smooth introduction of the LEAP-1A into the region.”