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Airbus launches longest range single-aisle airliner: the A321XLR
As mentioned in this and in many previous editions of Noticias, and consistent with the worldwide trend, there is a clear regional propensity to increase aircraft size from, for example, the A320 to the A321. This allows airlines to increase seating capacity, reduce unit costs and address airport and airspace capacity constraints with a single solution. Building on this trend, Airbus has added an increased range capability to the advantages of the A321neo by launching the A321XLR, the eXtra Long Range version of the best-selling A321neo, at the Le Bourget airshow.
The A321XLR offers numerous opportunities for airlines to open new non-stop routes and enter new markets that are beyond the range of today’s single-aisle aircraft and where there is not enough traffic demand for an economically acceptable service with a widebody. Alternatively airlines could take advantage of Airbus’ Flight Operational Commonality and operate the A321XLR alongside other members of Airbus’ widebody Family to increase capacity without having to add additional widebody frequencies. Finally, the A321XLR could offer opportunities to compete directly with airlines currently operating widebodies on longer distance routes, but at a much lower cost.
By offering single-aisle economics with long-range capabilities, Airbus believes the A321XLR is perfectly suited to the region due to the long distances between population centers and, in some cases, relatively low traffic volumes. Airbus sees opportunities for airlines based in the Southern cone to connect to the southern states in North America. Alternatively, for airlines based in Central America, the Caribbean or the northern part of South America, the aircraft provides full coverage of the whole of the Americas, even reaching well into Europe.
However airlines in the region choose to operate the aircraft, the potential exists to see a large fleet of A321XLRs flying in the region in the years to come.
For more information contact:
Paul Moultrie
Head of Marketing – Airbus Latin America and the Caribbean