CFM Hails Airbus A321XLR On Madrid-Paris Revenue Flight

Iberia Airlines recently initiated revenue service with a flight from Madrid to Paris with the first use of an Airbus A321XLR powered by LEAP engines manufactured by CFM of Cincinnati, Ohio. CFM is a 50-50 joint venture company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines of Courcouronnes, France.

CFM congratulated Iberia on the aircraft’s entry into service, and the airline will also use the A321XLR on long-haul service with flights between Madrid and Boston.

The LEAP-powered A321XLR features higher fuel efficiency, lower noise and emissions, and extra-long range capability. LEAP engines are high-bypass turbofans that have 15 to 20 percent better fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions than the CFM56 engines. They boast the industry’s highest rate of utilization and departure reliability rate of 99.95%.

Marco Sansavini, Chairman and CEO of Iberia said, “We are thrilled to be the first airline to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR. The A321XLR, with its CFM LEAP engines, will allow us to offer new long-haul routes and enhance our overall operational efficiency.”

Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International explained, “The LEAP-powered A321XLR gives operators like Iberia much greater route scheduling flexibility. We didn’t need to make any modification to the engine because we designed it with 35,000-pound thrust capability from the beginning to support longer range, higher max takeoff-weight aircraft. The added benefit for operators is 100 percent commonality with existing LEAP-powered A320neo family fleets.”

FMI:  www.cfmaeroengines.com/