Airbus A321XLR – New Structure Assembly Line at Hamburg

Airbus has this week launched a new structure assembly line at its manufacturing plant in Hamburg for the A321XLR.

This article will cover the details surrounding Airbus’ latest milestone surrounding the A321XLR’s new assembly line in Hamburg.

Airbus A321XLR – New Assembly Line

An Airbus A321XLR in flight — Photo Credit: Airbus

At Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Hamburg Finkenwerder (XFW), Germany, a new structure assembly line for the A321XLR has been opened.

The new line has opened in Hangar 246, a former A380 assembly hangar. Inside Hangar 246, the A321XLR’s rear fuselage is joined with its Rear Centre Tank (RCT). This is located in sections 15 and 17 in the diagram below. An Airbus supplier delivers sections 18/19 to join with 15 and 17.

Hangar 246 is 24,000 square meter facility that will employ approximately 300 people. This new means that the A321XLR has three hangars in Hamburg, 260 (Pilot Line), 259 (Equipment Assembly) and now 246 (Infrastructure).

Finally, this announcement comes as the A321XLR has received type certification from EASA. Read our article here.

Executive Comments

Firstly, André Walter, Head of commercial aircraft production in Germany and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Aerostructures, says. “Great company, great colleagues, a great moment.”

Secondly, adding to Walter’s comments, Head of the A321XLR programme, Gary O’Donnell, says. “Our industrial system is one of the most complex and dynamic in the world. The high level of technology, precision and enormous knowledge in interaction with the many suppliers is absolutely unique. What we see here is the result of the incredible knowledge of our people.”