Aviation

Airbus A321XLR Secures EASA Approval, Ready for Commercial Debut

In a significant milestone for Airbus, the A321XLR powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines has received its Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The Type Certificate was officially handed over by Florian Guillermet, Executive Director of EASA, to Isabelle Bloy, A321XLR Chief Engineer. This certification paves the way for the entry-into-service of the new aircraft, anticipated at the end of the summer.

The certification of the A321XLR variant equipped with Pratt & Whitney engines is expected later in 2024. Christian Scherer, CEO of the Commercial Aircraft business of Airbus, expressed his excitement about the new aircraft, stating, “Here comes the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our airline customers and passengers.

American airlines Insight view of A321XLR:Click here

With its long range, the A321XLR enables a host of new direct routes, offering natural growth opportunities to our customers and the travelling public. It provides airlines with the efficiency of commonality inside the A320/A321 product range and its versatile cabin a range of service possibilities that are just unique. It is quintessential Airbus!”

The certification represents a key milestone in the journey of the A321XLR. The next phase involves preparing the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers worldwide. Scherer added, “We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft in their fleets.”

Airbus is set to increase the production rate for A350:Click here

The A321XLR, with its impressive capabilities, complements widebody aircraft in an airline’s fleet. It offers the flexibility to add capacity, open new routes, or maintain existing ones when demand fluctuates.

This aircraft stands out by burning 30% less fuel per seat compared to previous generation competitor aircraft, and at approximately half the trip cost of modern widebodies. Its new Airspace cabin promises passengers long-haul comfort across all classes.

The first A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022, followed by an extensive test program involving three test aircraft. To date, more than 500 Airbus A321XLRs have been ordered, highlighting the strong demand and confidence in this innovative aircraft.

With its certification now secured, the A321XLR is poised to make a significant impact on the aviation market, offering airlines a versatile, efficient, and cost-effective solution for a variety of routes and operational needs.

Aviation

DOT Penalizes Lufthansa $4 Million for Stopping Jewish Passengers From Boarding

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed a $4 million penalty on Lufthansa for discriminating against Jewish passengers traveling from New York City to Budapest via Frankfurt in May 2022. The incident marked the largest civil rights fine ever levied by the DOT against an airline.

The case stems from an incident where Lufthansa denied 128 Jewish passengers — most of whom were wearing traditional Orthodox Jewish attire — from boarding their connecting flight in Germany.

China Airlines eyes new aircraft order for 777X and A350-1000

The airline’s actions were based on the alleged misconduct of a few individuals during the first leg of the journey from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt (FRA). However, many of those passengers did not know each other or travel as a group. DOT investigators found that Lufthansa treated them as a single entity, barring them from their connecting flight to Budapest (BUD) for the actions of a few.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the department’s commitment to protecting passengers’ rights. “No one should face discrimination when they travel, and today’s action sends a clear message to the airline industry that we are prepared to investigate and take action whenever passengers’ civil rights are violated,” he said. Buttigieg added that DOT’s increased enforcement efforts aim to ensure airlines treat all passengers with fairness and dignity.

This aircraft won’t need a runway

The investigation began after DOT received over 40 complaints from Jewish passengers affected by the incident. Despite some passengers failing to follow crew instructions on the first flight, lufthansa business lounge newark did not specifically identify any noncompliant individuals.

Instead, the airline placed a blanket hold on the tickets of over 100 passengers, preventing them from continuing their journey. lufthansa airways acknowledged that this approach could lead to excluding compliant passengers but deemed it impractical to address each case individually.