Airbus inaugurated “Hangar 246” in Hamburg on Tuesday, a new production line for the manufacturer focused on assembling the A321XLR, the ultra-long-range variant of the single-aisle jet.
The new facility will join Hangars 260 and 259 in the series production of the new jetliner, which is about to receive type certification and enter service with Iberia at the end of the year.
It is precisely in Hangar 246 that Airbus will assemble the rear structure of the aircraft’s fuselage and where the Rear Center Tank (RCT) is located, the extra fuel compartment that provides the A321XLR’s enormous autonomy.
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According to the company, “the heart of the aircraft is the rear centre tank, which is part of the structure of the rear fuselage and located in section 15 and 17. These sections are assembled using shells and joined with section 18/19 (delivered by a supplier) to form the rear fuselage of the A321XLR.”
The building was previously used to produce aerostructures for the A380, the largest passenger plane in history, which stopped being produced years ago. The hangar covers 24,000 square meters and is expected to employ 300 people.
According to André Walter, Head of commercial aircraft production in Germany and CEO of Airbus Aerostructures, the new installation was the last step needed to establish the industrial configuration of the A321XLR in Hamburg.
The new variant capable of flying 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km) will have structural assembly, equipment installation and final assembly carried out in Hamburg, with support from other planemaker facilities around the world.
