Thai AirAsia gets Airbus A320neo
THAI AIRASIA has taken possession of the first Airbus A320neo in Thailand – an aircraft with engine technology that is said to reduce energy consumption by 15 per cent and carbon dioxide emissions by 5,000 tonnes a year per aircraft.
Preechaya Rasametanin, executive vice president of Thai AirAsia, said the addition of the Airbus A320neo – which has CFM International LEAP-1A engines – has increased the carrier’s fleet size to 50. The aircraft seats 186, while the Airbus A320 seats 180.
The new model’s special features will translate to savings for passengers, the airline said. “The technology featured on this aircraft not only reduces its energy consumption but also trim down greenhouse gas emissions by 5,000 tonnes per year for each aircraft,” Preechya said.
The minimal cabin noise results in a near-silent flight once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude, Thai AirAsia said.
“When our fleet acquires more A320neo planes in the future, we will achieve very significant reductions in our energy consumption,” Preechaya said. “This truly asserts our leadership in the area of aviation innovation.”
The Airbus A320neo is being introduced under a special activity titled “Taking to the Sky in the Footsteps of the Father: With Alternative Energy”.
The initiative will involve flying 75 children from Rajprachanukroh Schools Sakon Nakhon, Phitsanulok and Nan provinces to visit royally initiated alternative energy projects at the specialised R&D Centre for Alternative Energy from Palm Oil and Oil Crops at the Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University.
