Airbus A321XLR Aircraft Takes Off For The First Time

Airbus SE EADSY EADSF launched the first flight of its newest and largest narrowbody aircraft, the A321XLR, on Wednesday.
The European planemaker aims to seek lucrative demand for long-range single-aisle jets, reported Reuters.
The aircraft, MSN 11000, took off from Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport at 11:05 hrs CEST for a test flight that lasted approximately four hours and 35 minutes.
Philippe Mhun, Airbus EVP Programmes and Services, stated: "This is a major milestone for the A320 Family and its customers worldwide. With the A321XLR coming into service, airlines will be able to offer long-haul comfort on a single-aisle aircraft, thanks to its unique Airspace cabin. The A321XLR will open new routes with unbeatable economics and environmental performance."
The increased range is enabled by including a new rear-center fuel tank moulded into the lower fuselage.
However, regulators have raised concerns about the risk of fire in the event of a belly landing, forcing Airbus to postpone the entry into service by at least three months, to early 2024, to allow the lower structure to be modified, writes Reuters.
The A321XLR will deliver a single-aisle aircraft range of up to 4,700nm (8700 km), with 30% lower fuel consumption per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft.
By the end of May 2022, A321XLR orders stood at more than 500 from over 20 customers.
Price Action: EADSY shares are trading lower by 0.26% at $24.92 on the last check Wednesday.
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