In a surprise move Czech Airlines has cancelled over half of the Airbus A320neos it had originally ordered more than three years ago, while Norwegian Air has also cut its A320neo commitment.
Czech Airlines still has three of the re-engined type on order.
Its A320neo order had, in turn, replaced seven A320s which were still outstanding from a previous agreement.
Known as the A320neo, this Airbus comes with a new engine option which also incorporates fuel-saving large wing tip devices called Sharklets
It also boasts significant fuel savings of up to 15 percent, which represents up to 3,600 tonnes of CO2 savings annually per A320neo. In addition, A320neo customers will benefit from a double-digit reduction in NOx emissions, reduced engine noise, lower operating costs and up to 500nm (950 km) more range or two tonnes more payload.
Yet despite all this Norwegian has cut five A320neos from its own backlog, the Airbus figures reveal. They had been part of the original order for 100 A320neo-family aircraft placed in mid-2012.
It takes the number of A320neos for the airline down from 63 to 58, none of which have yet been delivered.
