Airbus is ramping up capacity with the opening of a new automated A321XLR equipping hangar in Hamburg, Germany. The new facility was officially opened today by Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher and German Aerospace Coordinator Anna Christmann.
On Wednesday (August 30, 2023), Airbus announced the opening of a new automated A321XLR equipping hangar in Hamburg, Germany, as part of the modernization and digitalization of their industrial system as they expand capacity for the rate ramp-up of the A320 program to 75 in 2026. The new facility was officially opened today by Hamburg’s First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher and German Aerospace Coordinator Anna Christmann. In the new 9,600 square-meter facility, designated H259, all of the rear fuselage components of the A321XLR, also built in Hamburg, will be installed and mounted. The hangar features automated logistics, fully digital systems, and test stations that can output the status of each fuselage section at any time. The nearly 24-meter fuselage sections are equipped with all electrical and mechanical systems, as well as windows, floor panels and external antennas, and are assembled on an automated ‘pulse line’ with eight stations.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Airbus’ Head of Commercial Aircraft Production in Germany, André Walter, said,
“Airbus’ Hamburg site plays a significant role in the development and production of the A321XLR. With our new, state-of-the-art equipment installation hangar, we are now expanding our capacity to manufacture A321 fuselages and making an important contribution to supporting our ramp up. At the same time we are reaffirming the importance of Hamburg for Airbus. The design of the building reflects the latest standards in production and sustainability.”
Also commenting on the new facility opening, Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, said,
“Hamburg is the central location for Airbus’ single-aisle development and production. With the A321XLR, the new flagship of the A320 Family will be assembled at the Finkenwerder site, setting new standards in terms of sustainability, efficiency and range. The start of production in the new equipment installation hangar is an important project for Hamburg as the world’s third largest civil aviation center.”
The Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Technology Policy, Anna Christmann, added,
“This investment in the A321XLR equipment installation hangar at the Airbus Hamburg site is an important milestone towards transitioning aviation to climate neutrality. This transformation is the key to making Germany a future-oriented and competitive aerospace location. I am delighted that Airbus is positioning itself as a trailblazer in sustainable aviation and that we are pulling together to accelerate progress toward climate-neutral aviation even further.”
As the next evolutionary step of the Airbus A320neo, the A321XLR is the response to market demands for more range and payload, and will deliver an unprecedented range of 4,700 nautical miles. This is 15 percent more range than the A321LR, and the A321XLR will also offer a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn compared to previous generation competitor aircraft, along with a smaller noise footprint and lower NOx emissions. The A321XLR currently has nearly 570 orders from 27 customers worldwide, and is scheduled to enter service during the second quarter of 2024.
Source: Airbus