This is great! One of the most highly anticipated aircraft type, the Airbus A321XLR (Extra Long Range) has received its Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
A321XLR receives type certification
The Airbus A321XLR powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines has received its Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), preparing the way for the entry-into-service of the new aircraft at the end of the summer. The Type Certificate was handed over by Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA to Isabelle Bloy, A321XLR Chief Engineer. Certification of the Pratt & Whitney engine version is slated for later in 2024.
Here comes the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our airline customers and passengers. With its long range, the A321XLR enables a host of new direct routes, offering natural growth opportunities to our customers and the travelling public. It provides airlines with the efficiency of commonality inside the A320/A321 product range and its versatile cabin a range of service possibilities that are just unique. It is quintessential Airbus!
With the certification, we have reached a key milestone. The next step is to prepare the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers worldwide. We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft in their fleets.
Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus said.
The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022. This was followed by an extensive test programme involving three test aircraft.
Spanish carrier Iberia is the launch customer for this aircraft type. The airline recently shared a video of its first A321XLR leaving the paint hanger in preparation for delivery. Iberia has eight A321XLRs on order.
In India, IndiGo is set to receive its first A321XLR next year that will enable the airline to open new routes to Europe, Africa and Far East.
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New opportunities
Airbus says that the A321XLR “introduces the flexibility to add capacity, to open new routes, or even to continue operating existing ones when demand is variable”. It burns 30% less fuel per seat than previous generation competitor aircraft, and at roughly half the trip cost of modern widebodies.
The A321XLR has a range of 4,700 Nautical Miles. The aircraft features an entirely new centre fuselage incorporating a conformal 12,900 litre ‘rear centre tank’ (RCT), a dedicated new fuel system, new fibre-metal laminate materials with fire-retardant properties on its lower shell, and a new larger and reinforced belly-fairing. The latter – in combination the RCT structural design – allows the aircraft to sustain emergency belly landing conditions. Moreover, being equipped with sliding pads, the extended fairing also acts as a cushion for the aircraft to slide until it comes safely to a standstill.
The aircraft has new single-slotted inboard flaps, upgraded flight control system, uprated landing gears wheels and brakes, a new fuel system, new water and waste system, plus an enhanced cabin heating system for long range operations.
Featured image by Airbus
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