(Photo by Airbus)

Airbus has completed installation of the first set of sharklet wing-tip devices on the company’s A320 development aircraft (MSN 001), preparing for the flight-test campaign in the coming weeks.

The A320 fitted with sharklets reduces fuel burn by up to 3.5%, corresponding to an annual carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction of around 700 tonnes per aircraft.

The new wingtip devices are around 2.5 m., or 8ft. tall and will replace the aircraft’s current wingtip fence. Offered as an option on new-build aircraft, as well as being standard on A320neos, sharklets will also enhance the aircraft’s payload-range and take-off performance, Airbus said.

Jetblue will be the launch customer for retrofitted sharklets.

(Karen Walker - ATWOnline News)