Airbus delays A321XLR service entry to Q3 2024

Airbus has officially announced a delay in the service entry date for its A321XLR model, pushing it back to the third quarter of 2024. This postponement comes after the service entry date for the A321XLR was initially set for 2023 but was subsequently rescheduled to 2024.

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The delay was prompted by concerns raised by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding the additional rear fuel tank integrated into the aircraft's design.

Specifically, there were worries about a potential reduction in range, estimated at 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres), due to necessary design adjustments to the rear fuel tank. However, Airbus has since addressed these concerns, reportedly resolving the issue surrounding the potential range reduction.

Currently, Airbus is in the final stages of completing the certification process for the A321XLR. The aircraft manufacturer is striving to ensure that the model is prepared for delivery by the third quarter of 2024. However, the delay in the certification process has extended the timeline, with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledging that the process is taking longer than initially anticipated.