Etihad has taken delivery of the first of the four V2500 SelectOne powered aircraft it is due to receive this year, marking the launch of a lower fuel burn and emissions engine in the region.

Along with lower fuel burn, CO2 emissions and operating costs, Etihad chose the V2500 because it is a leading engine in sandy conditions and hotter regions.

Its capability has already been proven in the airline’s existing fleet of nine V2500-powered A319s and A320s, which the airline has been operating since December 2007.

“V2500 SelectOne gives us what we need operationally while reducing our operating costs,” said Werner Rothenbaecher, Etihad’s executive vice president, technical.

“We get all the benefits of a quiet engine with lower fuel burn and emissions, but being situated in the Gulf region, we need also an engine that can handle the arduous operating conditions.  It gives us the best of both worlds.”

“Etihad has recognised the added value that V2500 SelectOne provides,” said Andy Robinson, vice president of customer support of International Aero Engines, suppliers of the V2500 SelectOne engines.

“Efficiency and the environment are key focus areas for airlines today and the enhancements we have made to our engine improves our leadership in both these areas,” he added.

The V2500 is available in seven different thrust settings, from 22,000 to 33,000lb, to power the Airbus A319, A320 and A321 family of aircraft as well as the Airbus corporate jetliner. More than 5,500 V2500 engines are in service or on firm order.

The V2500 SelectOne build standard delivers an additional one per cent fuel burn advantage, along with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.

It improves time-on-wing by up to 20 per cent, and is compliant with the most stringent CAEP/6 NOx standards. It entered service in October 2008. – TradeArabia News Service