Qatar Airways (Doha) later this year will take delivery of the first new A320 with Sharklets. The pictured A320-232 with the test registration of F-WWBG (msn 5182) will be delivered as A7-AHV. It will also be the first A320 delivery with the new Sharklet wingtip design.
According to Airbus, “Several A320 Family aircraft have been in the certification flight-test campaign since May 2012 and will last around 600 flight hours. These Sharklet tests follow the successful โearly flight-testโ campaign with Airbusโ A320 msn 001 test aircraft.
In total, seven new-build A320 Family aircraft fitted with both CFM56 and V2500 engine types will test the production-standard Sharklets. The results of the tests will lead up to the certification of these fuel-saving devices on each combination of aircraft model and engine selection. The first member of the family to enter service with Sharklets will be the CFM56-powered A320, from the fourth quarter of 2012.
Sharklets, which have been specially designed for the Airbus A320 Family, will reduce fuel burn by up to 3.5 percent, giving an annual CO2 reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft. This is equivalent to the CO2 produced by around 200 cars annually. Sharklets are now offered as an option on new-build aircraft, and are standard on the A320neo Family.”
Copyright Photo: Yvan Panas. F-WWBG arrives back at Toulouse.
Qatar Airways:ย 
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