Airbus has informed its customers that the A321XLR program will suffer a delay in deliveries. This move by the European manufacturer adds to the unease of its customers, who need the new aircraft to meet growing travel demand.
According to sources close to the project, the delays vary from customer to customer and the details of the delays have not yet been disclosed. Airbus’ challenge lies in dealing with production problems at its factories and the certification of the new center tank, vital for its extended range.
The A321XLR program launched with an entry-into-service date of 2023, then this date was moved to mid-2024. This delay was due to European and U.S. regulators conducting an investigation into possible fire hazards on the new model.
The XLR’s secret is its new central fuel tank, which is located in the aircraft’s central structure behind the landing gear compartment. The biggest fear of Airbus customers is that the delay will put deliveries towards the end of 2024 or early 2025.
New A321XLR features
Airbus’ new long-haul single-aisle aircraft will have the ability to link distant cities up to 8,700 kilometers with 30% less fuel consumption than previous-generation aircraft.
To achieve this incredible range, a much larger central tank has been integrated into the fuselage at the rear of the landing gear tank.
The project is currently in the extreme climate certification phases, more precisely in Canada, testing in cold climates.
