Airbus says in final stages of A320neo ground tests

Monday, 22 September 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Airbus is conducting the final stage of ground trials as it edges towards the keenly-awaited first flight of its revamped A320neo aircraft, the plane maker said last week.

The first test aircraft is on the “final run-in” towards its maiden flight, a spokesman said in answer to a query, but added it was too early to predict an exact date. Airbus is sticking to its target for a first flight in the third quarter, or by the end of September, the spokesman said. Maiden flights need good weather and are usually announced just a few days before they are expected to happen. Industry sources have said the flight was tentatively planned in early September, but had to be pushed back because of a problem with engine testing, raising some concerns that the flight could slip to October.