The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has officially granted Type Certification to the Airbus A321XLR equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines. This milestone paves the way for the aircraft to begin its service by the end of the summer. The Type Certificate was presented by EASA’s Executive Director, Florian Guillermet, to Isabelle Bloy, the Chief Engineer of Airbus A321XLR. Certification for the Pratt & Whitney engine variant is expected to follow in 2024.
The A321XLR is positioned alongside widebody aircraft in an airline’s fleet. It offers the ability to increase capacity, launch new routes, or maintain existing ones in the face of fluctuating demand. This is achieved while consuming 30% less fuel per seat compared to previous generation competitor aircraft, and at approximately half the trip cost of modern widebodies. The A321XLR’s new Airspace cabin ensures that passengers enjoy long haul comfort in all classes.
The inaugural flight of the first Airbus A321XLR took place in June 2022. Subsequently, a comprehensive testing regimen was carried out with three test planes. To date, over five hundred Airbus A321XLRs have been purchased.
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