Airbus has added a new long-range, single-aisle aircraft to its A320 family.
The A321XLR was launched today at the Paris Air Show and will begin deliveries in 2023.
Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corporation will be one of its launch customers, and has ordered 27 of the aircraft. More customers are expected to be announced during the show.
The plane has a 8,700km range, 15 per cent more than the A321LR, which Airbus said will mean airlines can operate paths such as India to Europe or China to Australia using single-aisle aircraft with better fuel efficiency and lower costs.
Airbus says the A321XLR has been designed to maximise commonality with the A321LR, with both matched in fuel efficiency.
Changes include a new permanent Rear Centre Tank for more fuel volume, a modified landing gear for an increased maximum take-off weight, and an optimised wing trailing-edge flap configuration.
The A320 family includes the A318, A319neo, A320neo and A321neo.
It accounts for the majority of Airbus deliveries, comprising 626 out of 800 last year.
Airbus recently performed a formation flight of its commercial aircraft families to mark 50 years since an agreement was signed at the Paris Air Show to build the A300, the world’s first twin-engine, wide-body airliner.
This year’s show comes as Airbus’s US rival Boeing continues to face scrutiny over two fatal plane crashes that led to its B737 Max aircraft being grounded worldwide in March.
This morning Virgin Atlantic signed an agreement for 14 A330-900 neos, with options for a further six of the new-generation aircraft.
