Industry Airbus opens new A321XLR equipment installation hangar

With the new automated A321XLR equipping hangar, the manufacturer will be supporting the ramp-up of production rates, that Airbus has announced. The hangar has been previously used for the Airbus A380 cabin equipment. It was officially opened by Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher and German Aerospace Coordinator Anna Christmann.

With the further advancement of its industrial system, Airbus is opening up new capacities to fulfill the ramp-up of its A320 program to 75 delivered aircraft a month in 2026. The Airbus A321XLR is the latest iteration of the largest aircraft in the A320 Family fleet and is offering its operators additional range through new aerodynamical advantages and added fuel tanks.

André Walter, Head of Airbus Commercial Aircraft Production in Germany, commented: “Airbus’ Hamburg site plays a significant role in the development and production of the A321XLR. With our new, state-of-the-art equipment installation hangar, we are now expanding our capacity to manufacture A321 fuselages and making an important contribution to supporting our ramp up. At the same time we are reaffirming the importance of Hamburg for Airbus […] The design of the building reflects the latest standards in production and sustainability.”

Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, added: “Hamburg is the central location for Airbus’ single-aisle development and production. With the A321XLR, the new flagship of the A320 Family will be assembled at the Finkenwerder site, setting new standards in terms of sustainability, efficiency and range. The start of production in the new equipment installation hangar is an important project for Hamburg as the world’s third largest civil aviation center.”

“This investment in the A321XLR equipment installation hangar at the Airbus Hamburg site is an important milestone towards transitioning aviation to climate neutrality. This transformation is the key to making Germany a future-oriented and competitive aerospace location,” said Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy. “I am delighted that Airbus is positioning itself as a trailblazer in sustainable aviation and that we are pulling together to accelerate progress toward climate-neutral aviation even further.”

The new equipment installation hanger is 9,600m² large and will be used to install and mount all components for the rear fuselages of A321XLR aircraft. These components are also build in Hamburg. The hangar features state-of-the-art technologies such as automated logistics, fully digital systems and modern test stations. After being completed, the fuselages will be travelling to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) which is also located at Hamburg.