New Airbus Plane Faces Range Limitations Due to Safety Features

Sometimes, things just don’t go as planned.

The new Airbus A321XLR might not travel as long as originally intended. Originally planned to have a range of 4,700 miles, the plane needs a new fuel tank safety feature that might limit it to 3,800 miles.

It is an evolution of the original A321.

The plane was supposed to be a game-changer since it is a narrow-body jet.

More than 500 planes have been ordered by more than two dozen airlines. The planes are still usable, they just don’t fly as long as originally planned. The A321XLR will allow airlines to operate long-haul flights on narrow-body jets more economically.

The main problem is that the new plane has a second fuel tank. It fell short because of safety considerations from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Airbus is expected to make the needed modifications and the plane will debut in 2024.

However, Reuters is reporting that the EASA and Airbus have reached an agreement on the safety issues that would allow it to pass certification. Modifications will be made by Airbus, at a significant cost.

Airbus is waiting to see if the safety modifications add more weight to the plane. However, planes normally fly with extra fuel and extra weight in case of a disruption or need for an emergency landing.

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