Spirit Airlines has become the first US customer to accept delivery of an Airbus A320neo, the manufacturer says.
The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A320neo was handed over to the Miramar, Florida-based low-cost carrier on 7 October, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer.
The aircraft, serial 6833 and registered N901NK, is one of five A320neos owned by AerCap that will be leased to Spirit Airlines, the Flight database shows.
Spirit also has ordered 50 more A320neos directly from Airbus. Another 80 conventional Airbus single-aisle aircraft, each powered by the International Aero Engines V2500, are already in Spirit’s fleet. Spirit also has 15 conventional A321s in the Airbus backlog.
“This state-of-the-art technology will burn less fuel and lower our operational costs,” says Ted Christie, Spirit’s chief financial officer.
Airbus has now delivered 26 A320neos to nine operators.
