Odds and Ends: A320 Sharklet tests better than forecast; Emirates and A350-1000

Back to work:

Airbus flight tests reveal that its Sharklet is one-half percent better on long-range operations than had been forecast.

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The company revealed that the A320 Sharklet 4% better fuel burn than the current airplane on long-range flight tests, vs. the 3.5% forecast. EIS is next month.

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The company also had the maiden flight of the A319 Sharklet on November 23. EIS is second quarter 2013.

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Airbus Photo

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Emirates and A350-1000: Aviation Week has this piece about the A350-1000 and Emirates Airlines. We’ve also been told the aircraft is overweight at this stage and field performance is a concern, we’re confident Airbus will be able to address the issues. (We’d note that field performance for the Boeing 737 MAX has also been a concern, but we also believe Boeing will overcome this. The point is that weight and performance are also concerns of new airplane programs, including the Boeing 787 and 747-8.)

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EasyJet looks at Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier: easyJet is considering all three OEMs for its next round of aircraft, considering the A320, the 737 and the CSeries.