Safety concerns affect flight times of Airbus’ new jetliner

Airbus may need to reduce the top range of its coming A321XLR jetliner, a key selling point for the new narrowbody, as European regulators seek to lessen the fire risk from an extra fuel tank in its rear fuselage, according to people familiar with the matter.

Improvements to fire safety design around the rear center tank are likely to add weight to the XLR and have a minor impact on how far it can fly, according to the people, who asked not to be named discussing a confidential matter. Some buyers have been told of potential changes to specifications, they said.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency in January 2021 flagged the fuel tank’s unique design, integral to the fuselage itself, as posing a particular risk in the event of fire, presenting a “special condition” requiring a safety fix to protect the passenger cabin.

Airbus rival Boeing subsequently highlighted the issue, while the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration proposed similar special conditions for the A321XLR last month.

Airbus is studying ways to offset the range the plane could lose, according to one person. Discussions include an increase in the jet’s maximum takeoff weight to 101.7 metric tons from 101. Until recently, it had assured customers that design changes were unlikely, another person said.

Airbus is discussing certification requirements with EASA, said Stefan Schaffrath, a spokesman for the Toulouse, France-based manufacturer.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority,” he said. “We let independent authorities take all the necessary time to make a decision and would listen carefully to any requirements if they come.”

Airbus shares traded 1.3% lower at 105.18 euros as of 11:01 a.m. in Paris. They’re down 6.4% this year.

Certification of the A321XLR is ongoing, EASA spokeswoman Janet Northcote said in an email. “The complete set of conditions in relation with the installation of the rear center tanks is still under definition” and will be published for comment when ready, she said.