Airport

12 things to know about Airbus A320 family

1. First flew on 22 February 1987

Airbus A320 is a narrow-body (single-aisle) jet aircraft which was the first member of the A320
family and it was launched in March 1984 and first flew on 22 February 1987.It was introduced by Air France. The A320 is available in different sub-variants with varying seating capacities like A318,319 and 321.
This jetliner family is considered one of the most versatile and successful in the world.

2. Upgrades and Modification

Airbus A320’s first model release in 1984. later different models were added to to the family,
in 1994, 96 and 2003 respectively. In 2003 this models have been upgraded and modified.
In December 2010, Airbus introduced A320neo (new engine option), which entered service with Lufthansa
in January 2016.15% better fuel economy than Earlier A320s.

3. Can operate in extreme weathers
Airbus A320 is a narrow body aircraft. as a result of its smaller size design, It is used on almost
any commercial route depending on the length of the journey. The Airbus A320 flies throughout the world. This aircraft can land and takeoff on the extreme weather runways from -35 to 52 Celsius degree temperatures.

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4. A320 can fly up to 4600 miles

Depending on the specific model of Airbus A320 used, the aircraft can have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles (4600 miles ). By 2023, an Airbus A320 with a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles is expected to be available for commercial use.

5. It takes about one month to complete A320.

There are 340,000 parts in the A320 aircraft. About three A320 Family aircraft leave every day one of the A320 Family final assembly lines all over the world. It takes about one month to complete the final assembly of an A320 Family aircraft. Production lead time of an A320 from the first piece manufactured to the delivery of the aircraft is around 1 year.

6. Every 2 seconds one A320 takes-off or lands

A320 operations are very similar to breathing. Every time you take a breath an A320 Family aircraft takes-off or lands (every 2 seconds). The Airbus A320 was ranked as the fastest selling aircraft from 2005 to 2007. The aircraft
has been ordered and flown by more than 130 airlines.

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7. Up to 95% of the Material can be recycled
At the end of its lifecycle, 85% of an A320 can be recycled in terms of weight. This
figure will go up to 95% in the next few years. Fan diameter of the A320neo Family engines is 2,05 meters. It is larger than most business jet cabins cross section (such as Bombardier Learjet).

8. It can accelerate 200km/h in less than 20 seconds.

The A320 can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h in less than 20 seconds. This is faster
than a 305 HP Ford Focus RS. At its maximum weight the A321LR weighs more than 7 London Buses.

Read here : Airbus Hamburg plant

9. four final assembly lines in three continents for the A320

There are four final assembly lines in three continents for the A320 Family: Toulouse, France (A320 assembly); Hamburg, Germany (A319, A320 and A321 assembly); Tianjin, China (A319 and A320 assembly); and Mobile, USA (A220, A319, A320 and A321 assembly).

10. Its engine can produce electricity up to 30 standard apartments.

Electric power produced by both A320 Family engines would be sufficient to provide
electricity for 30 standard apartments. The high pressure spool of A320 Family engines during take-off phase turns 11 times faster than a washing machine during the spin cycle.

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11. Highest no of Orders and Fastest deliveries record

A320 FAMILY
Orders and Deliveries
● 15,499 orders from 300+ customers (business case at launch : 600+ aircraft)
● 9,738 deliveries
● 5,761 in backlog

A320neo FAMILY:
Orders and Deliveries
● 7,372 orders from 120 customers
● 1,656 deliveries
● 109 operators (69 CFM, 40 PW)
● 5,716 in backlog

In-service status
● 6.7+ million flight hours
● 3.4+ million flight cycles

Read here : History of Concorde

12. Further A320 family extending range up to 4700 nm by 2023
A321 XLR : The next evolutionary step from the A321LR, now flying Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm (+15% than A321LR) with unbeatable fuel efficiency. Providing 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft.
Entry into service of the A321XLR is planned in 2023.

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Airport

Dubai Initiates ‘World’s Largest’ Airport Terminal Project

Image:HH Sheikh Mohammed

Dubai, known for its audacious projects and visionary ambitions, has set its sights on yet another groundbreaking endeavor.

On a Sunday announcement, the Gulf emirate revealed the commencement of construction on a colossal new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. With an estimated cost soaring close to $35 billion, this undertaking signals Dubai’s unwavering commitment to spearheading innovation and redefining the global aviation landscape.

Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation's strategy.

Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the… pic.twitter.com/oG973DGRYX— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 28, 2024

The visionary behind this monumental project, His Highness, proclaimed that this future hub will surpass all precedents, becoming “the world’s largest” airport. Envisioned to dwarf the current Dubai International Airport by fivefold, it will boast a staggering 400 aircraft gates and feature a constellation of five parallel runways.

But more than just sheer size, the new terminal will serve as a crucible for pioneering aviation technologies, heralding a new era of efficiency and connectivity in air transport. Dubai’s ambitions extend beyond mere infrastructure.

As His Highness elaborated, the airport will catalyze the emergence of an entire city, a bustling metropolis in Dubai South. Anticipated to accommodate housing for a million residents, this urban nexus will magnetize leading companies in logistics and air transport, cementing Dubai’s status as a global economic powerhouse.

The master plan for the Airport of the Future unfolds across an expansive canvas, spanning a sprawling area of 70 square kilometers. With an ultimate capacity surpassing 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per annum, it charts a trajectory for sustained growth and prosperity in Dubai’s aviation sector over the next four decades.

This visionary project is not just a testament to Dubai’s ambition; it is a cornerstone of its economic agenda. Integral to Dubai’s economic fabric, the new airport will fuel job creation and residential demand, with projections estimating requirements for over a million individuals living and working in Dubai South.

Aerospace

India is set to build a central command for the Air Traffic Control system, called ISHAN

Coutresy : Boeing planes

India’s air traffic growth has led to increased responsibilities for air traffic control. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is considering centralizing air traffic control for aircraft, dividing the country into four regions. The goal is to consolidate India’s segmented airspace into a single entity to improve air traffic management (ATM) efficiency, safety, and smoothness.

Recently, the AAI invited expressions of interest to develop a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative in Nagpur. Under this plan, air traffic controllers in Nagpur would handle domestic flights flying above 25,000 feet, eliminating the need for coordination among controllers in different regions.

For domestic regional flights operating above 25,000 feet, control would shift to the central command in Nagpur. This consolidation aims to enhance airline operations, increase flight handling capacity, and reduce congestion and flight times for passengers.

Currently, the AAI provides ATM services over Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas, covering over 2.8 million square nautical miles. This airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, along with a sub-FIR in Guwahati.

FIRs are responsible for providing air traffic services, including weather information, visibility, and search and rescue assistance. The proposed unification under the ISHAN initiative aligns with the projected growth of the aviation industry, which anticipates a doubling of domestic passenger traffic by 2030.

Airport

Hamad International Airport Recognised as the “World’s Best Airport” for 2024

Image:Skytrax

The World Airport Awards, which took place on April 17, 2024, in Frankfurt’s Passenger Terminal EXPO, have crowned Doha’s Hamad International Airport the World’s Best Airport 2024.

In addition, Hamad International Airport took home prizes for Best Airport in the Middle East and Best Airport Shopping in the World. Singapore Changi Airport, the 2023 Airport of the Year and 12-time winner, came in second in the world rankings and took home prizes for the Best Airport in Asia and the Best Airport Immigration Service Worldwide.

In 2023, Hamad International Airport saw an extraordinary increase in passenger volume, marking a noteworthy milestone. Serving more than 45 million travellers, the airport saw a startling 31% rise from the year before. The airport serves over 250 destinations with passenger, cargo, and chartered flights. It also welcomed new distinguished airline partners, such as Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Japan Airlines.

Hamad International Airport is looking forward to a busy 2024 as it enters its historic tenth year of existence. The airport wants to become even more of a leader in the aviation sector by investing in cutting-edge technologies and industry-first projects that will improve sustainability efforts.

A varied lifestyle destination itself is Hamad International Airport. The airport combines modern food and shopping options, leisure and entertainment venues, and a top-notch collection of artwork from globally known artists all within its single, spacious terminal. With the completion of the first phase of the airport expansion project, Hamad International Airport has improved its multi-dimensional offering and greatly boosted capacity.