First Airbus A321XLR Delayed Again

Preparations for the first Airbus A321XLR delivery to Iberia have hit a roadblock following fresh developments from the Spanish carrier.

The first aircraft was expected to be delivered in September following a certification in the last few months, paving the way for delivery.

However, following some concerns over whether the timeframe would be met, considering September is ending, those plans have been delayed.

Iberia confirmed that the first unit would be delivered in the second half of October, which is next month, following an inquiry from Reuters. The airline later confirmed this through various channels.

Delivery to the Spanish carrier follows an initial delivery scheduled for Ireland-based Aer Lingus, a fellow International Airlines Group member.

However, difficulties surrounding contractual obligations meant Aer Lingus, at the hands of IAG, believed a first delivery to them would be unrealistic.

Once delivery occurs, Iberia will begin flying the aircraft on familiarisation flights to London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Familiarisation flights are essential for airlines to allow their employees to learn the capabilities of a new aircraft type that, in some instances, may require additional staff, fly across different markets, be larger, or generally have a different configuration.

Once familiarisation flights are completed, Iberia plans to deploy the aircraft across Transatlantic markets, among others, as more units begin being delivered.

Boston Logan is expected to receive the first non-familiarisation flight by mid-November, marking the beginning of a new era for the airline’s single-aisle operations.

The A321XLR has already been a major success despite having a more complicated certification plan than initially expected, which has delayed its EIS by more than a year.

Airlines have looked to the A321XLR as the ideal solution for developing their fleet. The single-aisle jet was developed with the primary mission of flying seven—to eight-hour flights and significantly easing pressures on existing widebodies.

Furthermore, an aircraft like the A321XLR offers airlines a greater opportunity to pounce on emerging markets without sacrificing capacity across others where potential widebodies are deployed.