WASHINGTON/PARIS Dec 8 (Reuters) – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration mentioned it has permitted particular situations for the Airbus (AIR.PA) A321XLR after issues had been raised {that a} novel sort of gasoline tank may pose fireplace dangers in its latest narrow-body jet.
Rival planemaker Boeing (BA.N) instructed European regulators in 2021 the structure of a gasoline tank supposed to extend the A321XLR’s vary “presents many potential hazards”.
The FAA mentioned in a submitting seen by Reuters that it’ll require that the decrease half of the A321XLR fuselage, spanning the longitudinal space of the tank, be resistant to fireplace penetration to guard passengers.
The FAA publication offers additional readability surrounding the event of the brand new jet, whose introduction has been delayed to 2024.
Trade sources say proposed supply schedules of the longer-range single-aisle jet have been left in a state of flux whereas regulators contemplated easy methods to deal with the novel design.
“Whereas discussions with the airworthiness authorities are nonetheless ongoing, we aren’t ready to remark throughout the public session interval,” an Airbus spokesperson mentioned.
Entry-to-service stays scheduled for the second quarter of 2024, the spokesperson added.
Airbus shares had been up by round 1.3% in Thursday morning commerce.
The FAA mentioned the particular situations are wanted as a result of the brand new Airbus twin-engine airplane contains an additional gasoline tank moulded into the airplane fuselage quite than in its wings.
The tank is in an space of the decrease fuselage that partially replaces the rear cargo compartment of earlier plane designs.
The FAA mentioned current guidelines for post-crash fireplace protections had not anticipated any such design and particular situations had been “vital to ascertain a degree of security equal to that established by the prevailing airworthiness requirements.”
In Could, Airbus delayed the entry of service of its latest mannequin to early 2024 from late 2023 on account of the regulatory overview, and in October it postponed the date to the second quarter of 2024.
CEO Guillaume Faury mentioned in October the planemaker hoped it had a stabilised schedule for coming quarters, however trade sources have mentioned airways have been saved ready.
Analysts say design adjustments imposed by regulators may trim the airplane’s vary, one in every of its foremost promoting factors, however Airbus reiterated there have been could be no vital influence.
The European Union Aviation Security Company was not instantly accessible to remark.
Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Tim Hepher in Paris; modifying by Lincoln Feast and Jason Neely
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