Airbus made the first flight of the new A321XLR on Wednesday, as the European aircraft manufacturer seeks to tap into lucrative demand for long-range single-aisle aircraft.
The twin-engine passenger jet took off at 11:05 a.m. local time from the Airbus factory in Hamburg, Germany.
→ Airbus launches Zero Emissions Development Center in UK for hydrogen technologies.
The A321XLR can fly 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), allowing airlines to fly routes such as Houston-Santiago, New York-Rome or Tokyo-Sydney without the cost of a large twin-aisle aircraft.
The extra range is made possible by the addition of a new fuel tank at the rear of the fuselage.
But Airbus is facing questions from regulators about the risk of fire in the event of a belly landing and has been forced to delay entry into service by at least three months, to early 2024.
Some experts say the delay could be extended by up to a year.
Related Topics
Etihad Airways Nears New Order for Boeing 787 Jets
Boeing Updates Range for 777X Family Aircraft: Massive Autonomy Boosts for -8 and -9 Models
Philippine Airlines Nears First Direct Boeing Order Since 2007
Boeing Expands 737 MAX Production with Activation of New Everett Assembly Line
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.