Aircraft
Airbus ‘Decouples’ Hamburg’s A321XLR Production Tasks
Establishing a “pilot line” for the A321XLR’s rear fuselage section will allow Airbus to avoid interrupting current single-aisle production.
Airbus plans to begin major assembly of the A321XLR this year. (Image: Airbus)
Airbus plans to begin major assembly of the A321XLR this year. (Image: Airbus)

Airbus has begun parts production for the first A321XLR narrowbody across its sites and wider supply chain, including a new so-called pilot line in Hamburg, Germany, where the company plans to “decouple” major component assembly for the rear fuselage and new rear center fuel tank from the rest of the A320 line. The company said that the pilot line will allow a gradual production acceleration of the A321XLR airliner’s new rear fuselage starting next year “to attain maturity without impacting Hamburg’s existing single-aisle production operations.” Airbus expects major component assembly of the first forward fuselage, center and rear fuselage sections, and wings to start this year as it prepares for service entry in 2023.