(Bloomberg) — American Airways Group Inc. lastly has taken possession of its first long-range Airbus SE A321XLR plane, however the airplane will stay in Europe due to a provide chain concern that’s triggered a scarcity of seats.
The provider signed paperwork to simply accept the airplane in Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, American mentioned in assertion. The corporate, which ordered 50 of the longer-range plane in 2019, plans to initially use this primary airplane on US transcontinental routes later this yr earlier than shifting it to worldwide service.
The plane is a part of American’s plan to extend its long-haul fleet to 200 in 2029 from about 125 immediately. It additionally will assist it capitalize on rising shopper demand for upscale journey choices. The plane, outfitted with 20 suites and 12 premium seats, has the longest vary of any single-aisle business jet.
The airplane “will stay in Europe till ongoing seat provide chain challenges are resolved,” the airline mentioned in an announcement, declining to call the seat producer.
Plane inbuilt Europe at the moment get 10% tariffs as a part of US President Donald Trump’s commerce warfare. The A321XLR delay shouldn’t be associated to these levies, American mentioned. Chief Govt Officer Robert Isom mentioned in April that the provider didn’t plan to soak up additional tariff prices.
Delta Air Strains Inc. additionally has new Airbus jets stranded in Europe, as a result of their seats haven’t but been licensed by regulators, Bloomberg reported earlier this month, citing folks aware of the matter. The provider has been cannibalizing among the stranded plane by stripping off their US-made engines and utilizing them to get grounded planes in America again into service.
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