Both A321XLR engine types have been certified by the agency.
An Airbus A321XLR (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)
Pratt & Whitney has received Federal Aviation Administration certification for the GTF engine that will power the Airbus A321XLR aircraft
According to a Monday news release from Connecticut-based RTX – Pratt & Whitney’s parent company – the engine type certificate was updated to include the A321XLR after being granted last Thursday for the PW1100G-JM engine.
“This is an important milestone for the GTF engine program, which was the first engine to power the A320neo aircraft family,” said Rick Deurloo, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney, in the release. “The longer range and higher payload capability of the Airbus A321XLR aircraft will provide customers with expanded route flexibility to more destinations. A321XLR operators will benefit from the GTF’s best-in-class fuel efficiency and the lowest carbon emissions available for single aisle aircraft.”
The release stated that 13 customers around the world have selected GTF engines to power 217 A321XLR aircraft. Since entering into service in 2016, GTF engines have powered over 2,100 aircraft delivered to over 80 customers worldwide.
Over 600 GTF engines on Airbus A320neo series aircraft have undergone around 300 days of inspection due to cracking in metal powder found in compressor and turbine disks.
RTX says the upcoming GTF Advantage engine will deliver 4-8% higher takeoff thrust with up to 1% added fuel efficiency. It is on track for certification and first engine deliveries next year.
“The GTF Advantage is ideally suited for the A321XLR, further expanding new route options and enabling even better operating economics,” the release stated. “The GTF Advantage engine will be fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s model of the GTF.”
The FAA also certified CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines to power A321XLR aircraft on Oct. 2, though the approval wasn’t disclosed by the agency until Dec. 5, according to a report by The Air Current. The report stated that U.S. airlines will be able to take deliveries of the longer-range Airbus aircraft next year.
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