Innovations
A320neo SHARP: A game-changer for Brazilian Airlines
With a short runway length of only 1,323 meters and with obstacles at both ends, Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont airport (SDU) is a very challenging airport from an operational perspective. However, Santos Dumont is on one end of the strategically important business and tourist route to Sao Paulo’s Congonhas (CGH) airport, the fourth-biggest route in the world in terms of passenger traffic and the source of significant revenue for Brazilian airlines.
With airline executives very much focused on this key market, Airbus was keen to rise to the challenge by developing the A320neo to operate with full passenger payload and bring new efficiencies to airline operations at complex airports such as Santos Dumont.
Airbus worked in close collaboration with its customers, engine manufacturers (CFM and Pratt & Whitney) and other stakeholders to form a dedicated team specially focused on producing a sustainable and competitive advantage for both the airlines and the A320neo aircraft.
SHARP (SHort AiRfield Package), was born in mid-2014 to achieve these ambitious goals. Through a unique combination of aerodynamic, flight control, braking and software modifications, Airbus is able to improve both the take-off and landing capabilities of the aircraft to boost payload capabilities. Coupled with a new 29,000-pound engine rating, Airbus was even able to exceed it's lofty targets.
A320neo SHARP has already undergone flight testing in Toulouse as part of the overall A320neo flight test campaign.
Available as either a line fit or future retrofit option, A320neo SHARP is a game-changer for airlines in Brazil, and played a significant part in both Avianca, Avianca Brasil and Azul selecting Airbus aircraft for their future fleet requirements.
The A320neo SHARP project has been such a success, it was recognized internally at Airbus, winning a recent company-wide award for creating customer satisfaction.
For more information:
David Forrester, Airline Marketing Director, Airbus North America
david.forrester@airbus.com