Airbus SE won its first order for a new longer-range model, the A321XLR, and pressed its advantage over rival Boeing Co., which is still trying to get its most-popular narrow-body back into the skies after two fatal crashes. The A321XLR could fly on trans-Atlantic routes and has a range of 4,700 nautical miles (about 8,700 kilometres). With the A321XLR — for “extra long range” — Airbus has succeeded in beating Boeing to market with a new offering for middle-distance routes, such as between central Europe and the U.S. heartland. Boeing has been weighing a $15-billion investment in a jet it calls the new midmarket airplane, or NMA. The Air Lease order includes 27 A321 XLR, 23 A321neos and 50 of the A220 jetliner that Airbus acquired from Bombardier Inc.

Source: thestar June 17, 2019 13:52 UTC