New delay for Airbus A321XLR : to enter service in the third quarter of 2024
Airbus has confirmed that the ‘entry into service’ date of its long-awaited A321XLR model has been delayed once again, until the third quarter of 2024.
The aircraft’s entry into service had previously been delayed to early 2024 after the European regulatory authority EASA expressed concerns about the additional rear fuel tank built into the model. The initial date before the delays was 2023.
Airbus is currently in the final phase of completing the certification for the A321XLR and is now ensuring it is ready for delivery by Q3. The reason for this further delay has been put down to certification process issues, which CEO Guillaume Faury admitted “were taking a bit longer than expected.”
→ Airbus works on next generation jets
Despite the potential for a 200 nautical mile (370km) reduction in range caused by the design adjustments that were required to the rear fuel tank, Faury suggested that these issues had now been resolved.
“We are satisfied with the production of the program,” he said, adding that its range met “expectations of what we had when we launched the program.”
The A321XLR is designed to meet airline requirements for a narrowbody aircraft offering increased range and payload, the A321XLR will deliver a range of up to 4,700nm (8.700km), with 30% lower fuel consumption compared to previous next-generation aircraft.
Airbus has confirmed that to date it has received 550 A321XLR aircraft orders from 27 airlines.
Major customers include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Iberia, Qantas, United Airlines, Air Arabia, AirAsia X, flynas, IndiGo and JetBlue.
With information from Aerotime
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