Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Aer Lingus, the flag carrier of Ireland, is preparing to bolster its fleet with the addition of two Airbus A321XLR aircraft by the end of this year. The deliveries are anticipated to occur in the last quarter, facilitated by a new collective labor agreement between Aer Lingus and the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA). In light of this development, Aer Lingus plans to adjust its operations on the Dublin Airport (DUB) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) route.
Starting in the upcoming winter season, the airline will reduce the number of daily flights by at least two. This decision comes as a response to the route’s underperformance, attributed to lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and the earlier Brexit transition in February 2020. First A321XLR Delivery to Go to Iberia While Aer Lingus is set to receive its new aircraft later this year, the first delivery of the A321XLR model remains slated for Iberia, another member of the International Airlines Group (IAG).
An Iberia spokesperson confirmed to Simple Flying that the Spanish airline will take delivery of its first A321XLR in the coming weeks, adhering to the original schedule. Manufacturing Insights from Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport The intriguing developments at the Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport (XFW), where Airbus manufactures the A321neo and its derivatives, provide a glimpse into the complexity of aircraft production. For instance, an A321XLR with manufacturer serial number (MSN) 11348 was spotted sporting Aer Lingus’s tail colors and green winglets.
However, when the engines were fitted, they bore Iberia’s cowling, suggesting a blend of airline identities during the final stages of production. Another A321XLR destined for Iberia, MSN 11504, has also been observed at the XFW facility, currently undergoing testing and awaiting its maiden flight. This aircraft, registered as D-AVYR for testing, appeared in a promotional video shared by Iberia on social media, showcasing the aircraft’s new livery as it emerged from the paint hangar.
Meanwhile, MSN 11348, which has been registered as D-AZXY during its test phase, successfully completed its first flight on July 4. Since then, it has accumulated eight test flights, totaling over 16 hours of flight time, according to the Aviation Flights Group. Strategic Decisions Within the IAG Both Aer Lingus and Iberia are integral parts of IAG, a major European airline conglomerate.
IAG’s recent strategic decision to discontinue its pursuit of acquiring Air Europa has led to various operational shifts within its member airlines, influencing aircraft allocation and fleet management across the group. As Aer Lingus prepares for the arrival of its A321XLRs, these aircraft are expected to play a vital role in enhancing its long-haul operations, providing greater range and efficiency to meet the evolving demands of the post-pandemic travel landscape..
