Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Airbus will deliver the first new A321XLR to its launch operator, Iberia Airlines, today, according to available information.
The aircraft, with registration number EC-OIL, is expected to be ferried from Hamburg to Madrid in the afternoon (arrival in Madrid is estimated at 16:00 local time). Reuters reported yesterday that the delivery “will take place on Tuesday,” referring to next week, according to AviaNews.
The A321XLR is the latest narrow-body aircraft from Airbus, capable of flying up to 8,700 kilometers, making it suitable for transatlantic flights and allowing for the replacement of larger, less economical wide-body aircraft in markets where high passenger capacity is not required.
A particularly notable innovation is the rear central tank (RCT) with a capacity of 12,900 liters, located beneath the passenger cabin. To ensure its safety, additional testing and structural reinforcements were required.
The aircraft’s entry into service has been delayed multiple times. According to unconfirmed reports, the plane is expected to begin flights tomorrow. It was previously reported that Iberia would initially operate “familiarization flights” to London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle airports, before commencing flights on long-haul routes, the first of which is expected to be Madrid-Boston.
