Airbus received three of the six sections that are part of the front fuselage of the A321XLR, the longest-range variant of the single-aisle jet family.
The components were produced by Stelia Aerospace, a French company that is responsible for the design, manufacture and assembly of all sections of the front of the A320neo.
According to Stelia, the A321XLR required modifications in all sections regarding equipment structure and support.
“In the name of STELIA Aerospace, I am very happy and proud to have delivered today, according to schedule, our first elements for the A321XLR, the latest member of the Airbus single-aisle family, which will be a real game-changer on the long-range market. We have successfully completed the challenge of delivering in extremely short lead times,” said Cédric Gautier, CEO of Stelia Aerospace.
Stelia has been working in this project since 2019 on six sites and subsidiaries of the company. Toulouse and Rochefort design and development the product; Saint-Nazaire, Stelia Tunisia and ACAM (Morocco) are responsible for the production of elementary parts and equipped sub-assemblies; Méaulte and Rochefort for the final assembly of the sections.
The A321XLR will offer an unprecedented range of 4,700 nm (8,700 km) and is expected to make its maiden flight next year, with deliveries beginning in 2023.
