Airbus prepares to deliver the first A321XLR with Pratt & Whitney engines
With three A321XLR aircraft powered by CFM engines already delivered, Airbus is now preparing to hand over the first unit equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines. Wizz Air is expected to lead these deliveries as the variant nears type certification
With only three A321XLR aircraft equipped with CFM engines delivered so far, Airbus is preparing to deliver the first plane powered by Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines.
In a press conference this week, Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s commercial aviation division, stated that the delivery of the A321XLR with GTF engines is “imminent.”
The A321-271NY variant, which features Pratt & Whitney engines, is awaiting type certification, expected this quarter. Certification will initially come from EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), according to a report by ADN.
The A321-253NY, powered by CFM Leap-1A engines, received certification in July 2022. Its first delivery occurred in late October, with Iberia as the launch customer. Airbus has also delivered two A321XLR aircraft to Aer Lingus. In total, the company holds around 500 orders for this variant.
According to Flight Global, Wizz Air will be the first airline to receive the A321XLR with PW1133GR-JM engines, the specific GTF version for this model.
The low-cost carrier has 47 orders for this aircraft type. One plane, MSN 11631, is nearing completion at Airbus’s plant in Hamburg. Other customers awaiting deliveries include JetBlue and Qantas, though neither has conducted test flights for the variant.
The GTF engine has faced persistent issues since entering service on aircraft such as the A320neo family, the A220, and the Embraer E2. While Pratt & Whitney has resolved these defects, the recall process has been slow due to a lack of facilities capable of performing necessary modifications.
As a result, many affected aircraft remain grounded, causing financial losses for their operators.
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