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Qantas tweaks its Airbus order

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PARIS, 20 June 2019: The Qantas Group has secured up to 36 Airbus A321 XLR (extra long range) aircraft for delivery from the financial year 2024 onwards, in an update of its existing order.

The update will see 26 of the group’s existing A321 NEO orders converted to A321 XLRs and add a further 10 XLRs – taking the order from 99 aircraft to 109.

The order includes significant flexibility for the Qantas Group to make adjustments to delivery schedules depending on market conditions.

The fuel-efficient, longer-range XLR will improve fleet flexibility and network options for potential use by different airlines in the Qantas Group.

Its ability to fly longer distances means it can be used to open up new destinations or replace wide-body aircraft on existing routes, improving overall economics.

The A321 XLR has a range of around 8,700 kilometres, which is 15% longer than the A321 LR.

Depending on cabin configuration it can carry up to 244 passengers. It offers a 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation aircraft.

Key to the XLR’s flying range is additional fuel tanks in the belly of the aircraft plus, improved aerodynamics and a 25% increase to maximum take-off weight compared with the group’s existing A320s Classics, which are used across Jetstar.

As announced in early 2018, the first deliveries from the group’s A320 family order will begin with 18 A321LR aircraft for Jetstar, arriving between mid-2020 and mid-2022. These will operate a mix of domestic and international routes. The first A321 XLR would be available to the Group from the 2024 financial year onwards.

Following this update, the Qantas Group A320 Family order sits at 28 x A321 LRs, 36 x A321 XLRs and 45 x A320 NEOs, with continued flexibility around timing and structure in negotiation with Airbus.

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