Airbus is expected to make a decision on whether or not the A320 aircraft will require a re-engining that will make it commercially strong against growing competition from the Bombardier CSeries and Comac C919.
The re-engining would introduce a new powerplant along with the already-approved winglet upgrade that could improve its fuel-burn by 15%.
Airbus CEO Tom Enders was quoted by Aviation Week as saying that he expects a decision this year on whether or not to re-engine, and also on the choice of potential powerplants.
Airbus is in talks with CFM International for an advanced turbofan, with Rolls-Royce on a three-shaft architecture, with Pratt & Whitney on the geared turbofan and with International Aero Engines for a two-shaft engine.
Technical assessments are now underway, with a plan to select the preferred designs to take forward around the end of March.
The firm is studying ways to maximise fan-diameter to deliver the highest possible bypass ratio and the decision is subject to commercial discussions with the various engine providers.
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By GlobalDataAirbus will modify the wingbox and incorporate wing changes as a part of a winglet upgrade that will also aid in fitting the new engine.
Airbus plans to begin delivering the re-engined aircraft by the second half of 2015 if a approval is given this year.
