CFM International is celebrating the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) certification of the Airbus A321XLR powered by LEAP engines. This marks the fifth aircraft in the A320neo family to feature LEAP engines. The certification follows recent updates to the engine’s type certificates issued by both EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on July 10.
Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International, noted, “The certification of the CFM-powered A321XLR represents a significant milestone, providing operators with enhanced flexibility in route planning.” He emphasized that the engine, designed with 35,000 pounds of thrust for long-range and high maximum takeoff weight applications, required no modifications, ensuring full compatibility with existing A320neo Family fleets.
At the Farnborough International Airshow, attendees will have the opportunity to see the A321XLR with LEAP engines in flight. To date, 11 airlines and lessors have selected LEAP engines to power over 190 A321XLR aircraft. Including the A321LR and A321neo, more than 70 customers have chosen LEAP engines for over 2,300 large, long-range Airbus single-aisle aircraft.
The LEAP engine family offers 15 to 20 percent lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, along with significant noise reduction compared to previous generation engines. With over 3,300 LEAP-powered aircraft in service, CFM’s customers have avoided 35 million tons of CO₂ emissions. The LEAP engine is CFM’s most successful product launch in its 50-year history, achieving the fastest increase in engine flight hours—exceeding 50 million hours in just eight years.
Compared to the same flights with CFM56 engines.
