Airbus Industries has confirmed that Primera Air will no longer be the launch operator of the A321LR.
Primera Air which declared bankruptcy on 2nd October 2018 will no longer be considered the launch customer of the A321LR. It’s set to be replaced by Israeli Airline Arkia. Airbus has yet to finalize a date for the delivery.
Arkia is a relatively small airline with just 8 aircraft these include. Three Embraer ERJ 190’s, Three Embraer ERJ 195’s, and one Boeing 757-300 and one Boeing 767-300.
Airbus has secured approximately 120 orders for the A321LR the long-range variant of the A321. These orders are from 12 operators worldwide. The A321LR is capable of crossing the Atlantic non stop. Firstly used by Primera Air on transatlantic routes to Newark, Boston, Washington Dulles and Toronto. from London Stansted and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Photography of Global Aviation Media.
Norwegian, TAP Air Portugal, Air Transat, Aer Lingus are among the largest customers which have said that they will take the aircraft from 2019.
In addition Qatar Airways also told Global Aviation Media recently that they are intending to introduce the A321LR as part of its agreement for A321neos.
Finally a few other airlines that have expressed interest in the A321LR in 2019 include Air Astana, Air Arabia and Air Azores, while Jetstar and Peach have indicated at 2020.
