Countywide: : A-320 Jetliner Will Be Tested at Wayne Airport

Airbus Industrie, the European-based aircraft consortium, will test a twin-engine A-320 jetliner at John Wayne Airport on Thursday in a bid to qualify the plane for the first time under airport noise regulations.

Airport officials said Braniff will fly the plane during a similar test on Friday. Braniff is on John Wayne’s waiting list of air carriers seeking to begin service when the new passenger terminal opens April 1.

The A-320 jetliner carries 150 to 179 passengers distances of up to about 2,900 miles. A Boeing 737-300, by comparison, carries from 128 to 143 passengers about 2,500 miles.

Northwest Airlines also is considering use of the A-320 at John Wayne.