Airbus A321XLR Gets FAA Nod

According to a Monday news release from Connecticut-based RTX—Pratt & Whitney’s parent company—the engine type certificate was updated to include the A321XLR after being granted Thursday for the PW1100G-JM engine.

“This is an important milestone for the GTF engine program, which was the first engine to power the A320neo aircraft family,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The longer range and higher payload capability of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft will provide customers with expanded route flexibility to more destinations. A321XLR operators will benefit from the GTF’s best-in-class fuel efficiency and the lowest carbon emissions available for single-aisle aircraft.”

The company said that 13 customers around the world have selected GTF engines to power 217 A321XLR. Since entering into service in 2016, GTF engines have powered over 2,100 aircraft delivered to over 80 customers worldwide.

Over 600 GTF engines on Airbus A320neo series aircraft have undergone around 300 days of inspection due to cracking in metal powder found in compressor and turbine disks.

RTX said the upcoming GTF Advantage engine will deliver 4-8 percent higher takeoff thrust with up to 1 percent added fuel efficiency. It is on track for certification and first engine deliveries next year.

“The GTF Advantage is ideally suited for the A321XLR, further expanding new route options and enabling even better operating economics,” the company said. “The GTF Advantage engine will be fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s model of the GTF.”

The FAA also certified CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines to power the A321XLR on October 2, though the approval wasn’t disclosed by the agency until December 5, according to a report by The Air Current. The report stated that U.S. airlines will be able to take deliveries of the longer-range Airbus aircraft next year.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.