Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

The initial version of the Airbus A321XLR powered by CFM International's Leap 1A engines has received type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), preparing the way for the entry into service of the narrowbody airliner at the end of the summer. The European regulator's executive director,&nbsp;Florian Guillermet, handed over the type certificate to A321XLR chief engineer Isabelle Bloy on Friday.
Airbus said it expects to gain certification of the alternative version of the A321XLR powered by&nbsp;Pratt &amp; Whitney's Geared Turbofan later this year.
"Here comes the A321XLR, a differentiated product that brings new value to the market, expanding the possibilities for our airline customers and passengers, said Airbus commercial aircraft division CEO Christian Scherer. “With its long range, the A321XLR enables a host of new direct routes, offering natural growth opportunities to our customers and the traveling public. With the certification, we have reached a key milestone. The next step is to prepare the aircraft for its first commercial missions with customers worldwide. We look forward to working with XLR customers to support the integration of the aircraft in their fleets.”
According to Airbus, the A321XLR introduces the flexibility to add capacity, open new routes, or even continue operating existing aircraft during periods of variable demand, according to Airbus. While burning 30% less fuel per seat than its competitors’ previous generation aircraft, the long-range Airbus narrowbody operates at a trip cost of about half that of modern widebodies, it added.
The first A321XLR completed its first flight in June 2022 and has since taken part in a test program involving three aircraft. Airbus has collected orders for more than 500 XLRs.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Leap-powered Airbus A321XLR Airliner Wins EASA Type Certification

Powered by the CFM Leap-1A engines, the narrowbody airliner is ready for service entry 

The Airbus A321XLR narrowbody airliner, powered by CFM Leap-1A turbofans, has received type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Leap-powered Airbus A321XLR Wins EASA Type Certification

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Company's latest Business Aviation Market Brief showed flight operations rising 2.4% year over year

Global Jet Capital: Bizav Market Stable in 4Q2024

Chad Trautvetter

Aircraft wing assembly is coming together in anticipation of first flight next year

First Flight-test HondaJet Echelon Begins To Take Shape

Kerry Lynch

Company is offering $3 million retrofit kit to bring Global 7500 in line with the 8000

Bombardier Finalizing Global 8000 Flight-test Campaign

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Helicopter deliveries and orders were among the highlights of aerospace group's 2024 results 

Airbus Pushes For Increased Airliner Deliveries in 2025

Airplane billings soar 14.3%, helicopters climb 7.6%

Industry Billings Top $31B as Bizjet Shipments Increase

While market grew last year and is expected again this year, business aircraft deliveries will flatten out long-term

Teal Group Sees Double-digit Bizav Market Growth in 2025

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Farnborough Airshow 2024

In this article

Airbus A320 Series

Airbus

More In Aircraft

Global Jet Capital: Bizav Market Stable in 4Q2024

Company's latest Business Aviation Market Brief showed flight operations rising 2.4% year over year

First Flight-test HondaJet Echelon Begins To Take Shape

Aircraft wing assembly is coming together in anticipation of first flight next year

Bombardier Finalizing Global 8000 Flight-test Campaign

Company is offering $3 million retrofit kit to bring Global 7500 in line with the 8000

Airbus Pushes For Increased Airliner Deliveries in 2025

Helicopter deliveries and orders were among the highlights of aerospace group's 2024 results

Industry Billings Top $31B as Bizjet Shipments Increase

Airplane billings soar 14.3%, helicopters climb 7.6%

Teal Group Sees Double-digit Bizav Market Growth in 2025

While market grew last year and is expected again this year, business aircraft deliveries will flatten out long-term

EBAA Releases EBACE Conference Details for Geneva Show

Three stages will include live discussions about aircraft operations, innovation, and business aviation news

Seaplane Industry Sets Course for Sustainable Revival

There’s no shortage of a need for aircraft that can take off and land on water, supporters say

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN