Airbus has announced a delay in the delivery of their A321XLR to their customers, with the new delivery date expected to be pushed back by several months. While the delay is caused by a combination of issues plaguing the aviation industry, the type-specific problems are said to be affecting the certification process of the aircraft.
According to Bloomberg, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had requested Airbus to redesign the fire protection system around the new central fuel tank, which is unique to the ultra-long-range A321neo variant. These issues are expected to cause further delays in the delivery of the A321-200NY(XLR).
Airbus had previously announced that the A321XLR would enter service in 2024, a year later than initially planned. However, with the latest development, the first delivery could be pushed back to the end of 2024 or even beyond.
It is important to note that the A321XLR will have its own type certificate, and this means that it will have to undergo more stringent certification procedures compared to the A321LR. Airbus has accumulated 465 firm A321XLR orders so far, with the largest customers being IndiGo Airlines (69 orders), American Airlines, United Airlines (50 each), and Wizz Air (47). Cebu Pacific also has an order for 10 A321XLRs.
This delay is just one of many setbacks that the aviation industry is facing. Supply chain constraints have been affecting the entire industry, causing significant disruptions in the delivery of new aircraft. However, Airbus remains committed to delivering high-quality aircraft to their customers, despite the challenges they are facing.
About the Airbus A321XLR
The Airbus A321XLR, or Extra Long Range, is a variant of the popular A320 family of narrow-body airliners. The A321XLR was officially launched in June 2019 at the Paris Air Show and is expected to enter service in 2024. It is designed to offer airlines a range of up to 4,700 nautical miles, making it capable of operating long-haul flights that were previously the domain of larger aircraft.
The A321XLR is powered by the same engines as the A320neo family, the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G or the CFM International LEAP-1A. However, it features a modified wing structure, with increased fuel capacity, as well as a strengthened landing gear to support the increased weight of the aircraft.
The aircraft’s extended range makes it an attractive option for airlines looking to operate longer routes with a smaller aircraft, reducing costs and increasing flexibility. It also opens up new route possibilities, such as transatlantic flights from smaller cities, which were previously not feasible with narrow-body aircraft.
Source: Ch-Aviation
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