Airbus A321XLR Wins European Certification

Airbus has achieved a significant milestone by securing European certification for the latest addition to its single-aisle jet family, the long-distance A321XLR. This certification, granted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), marks a crucial step in Airbus’s efforts to enhance its market position and offer new capabilities to airlines.

On Friday, the head of EASA handed over the approval for the A321XLR, specifically covering a version equipped with CFM engines. Airbus plans to obtain certification for another version powered by Pratt & Whitney engines later this year.

Market Position and Design Intent:

The A321XLR was launched in 2019 to address a market gap left by the discontinued Boeing 757 and to preempt Boeing’s potential new mid-market jet. The A321XLR aims to serve routes traditionally flown by wide-body jets, allowing airlines to operate long-distance flights with lower commercial risk due to its smaller size.

The A321XLR features a novel rear central fuel tank integrated into the fuselage contours to achieve its extended range. This design innovation enables more fuel capacity, thus extending the aircraft’s range. However, this new design raised regulatory safety concerns regarding fire risks and emergency evacuation times.

Modifications and Range Impact:

To address regulatory concerns, Airbus implemented several design modifications, adding weight to the aircraft and slightly reducing its official range of 4,700 nautical miles. Airbus officials, however, are confident that the aircraft’s range will improve as it matures in service.

Production and Delivery Timeline:

Despite cumulative delays of approximately a year, Airbus is on track to deliver the first A321XLR in the third quarter of this year. The certification and upcoming deliveries underscore Airbus’s commitment to meeting market demands and enhancing its single-aisle jet offerings.

In contrast to Airbus’s proactive approach, Boeing shelved its plans for a new mid-sized plane four years ago. Boeing has indicated that it is not in a hurry to introduce a new model until a new generation of engines becomes available, which is expected in the next decade.