Airbus delivers new plane to Lufthansa

Airbus delivered its new version of the world’s bestselling airplane Wednesday to Lufthansa, dropping off the fuel-efficient jet in Hamburg.The short period after the holidays prevented a larger event, Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath says, but Lufthansa and Airbus will have a big A320neo party in the next few weeks when the carrier gets its second plane. “So no worries, there will be festivity,” Schaffrath wrote. Lufthansa and Airbus chose to sit on the “neo” aspect of the new airplane, painting Airbus A320-200 near the cabin door, just as it appears on current models of the A320. Why the lack of distinction? No one is saying. “Handing over the first A320neo to a world’s leading airline and long-standing Airbus customer, Lufthansa, is a truly great day for everyone at Airbus,” Airbus’s CEO Fabrice Brégier said. Airbus says the A320neo—which began development in 2010 and stands for "new engine option"—offers airlines 15% greater fuel efficiency now and 20% by 2020 through planned upgrades. Despite its shiny new status, some 95% of the plane matches current A320s, a manufacturing strategy that helps integrate new versions into airline fleets.<br/>