Airbus Announces A321neo(XLR) Entry into Service Delay to Third Quarter of 2024

Airbus revealed that the introduction of the A321neo(XLR) has been postponed, with the highly anticipated model now expected to enter service in the third quarter of 2024, a shift from the initially targeted second quarter.

Airbus has notified its customers of ongoing delays in aircraft deliveries, with impacts expected to last through early 2025. According to sources cited by Reuters, various aircraft scheduled for delivery in late 2024 and early 2025 are now anticipated to face delays of a few months. Supply chain challenges, particularly concerning specific components, have been identified as the primary cause of these delays. While Airbus has not officially commented on these reports, the information was shared during an annual press conference.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury highlighted the completion of the certification process as a critical factor in this delay, noting the extensive documentation involved. Despite the setback, Faury assured that discussions with customers have been conducted and that the adjusted timeline does not substantially alter the delivery dates for most aircraft.

The manufacturer aims to deliver “a handful” of the A321neo(XLR) variant within this year, with plans to increase production in 2025. Faury addressed the broader supply chain challenges, emphasizing the multitude of bottlenecks tied to various suppliers and the complexity of resolving these issues. He specifically mentioned engines as a significant concern, expressing dissatisfaction with the on-wing time of Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines on the A220, though he also pointed out that this has not deterred customer demand.

To tackle these challenges, Airbus has significantly expanded its supply chain workforce by 150% over the past two years. The bottlenecks currently affect all aircraft families in the Airbus lineup, with the A320neo Family, in particular, facing pressures due to its substantial delivery volumes. Additionally, Airbus is actively working on ramping up assembly rates for the A220 and A350 models, further intensifying the demand on the supply chain.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges faced by aircraft manufacturers in balancing strong market demand with the intricate realities of the global supply chain, especially in a post-pandemic recovery phase.