Airbus A321XLR Structural Assembly Hall Inaugurated at Hamburg FAL

Dear subscribers,

It's been a week of firsts in Hamburg ??

One of Airbus's major development projects took a decisive step forward: a new structural assembly hall, Hall 246 at the Finkenwerder final assembly line, was inaugurated at a ceremony. COnverting a hall previously used for the A380, it's one of the last steps in the industrialisation of the A321XLR. Hall 246 provides a production area of around 24,000m2, that's the size of 92 tennis courts. Here, the revolutionary Rear Center Tank that extends the XLR's range is fitted to the fuselage.

At the ceremony, CEO of Airbus Aerostructures, Andre Walter was joined by Gary O'Donnell, Head of the XLR programme and Melanie Leonhard, Hamburg's Senator for Economy and Innovation ( Hamburg Innovativ ). The event marks a significant milestone on the way to full production of the A321XLR and delivery to the launch customer this year. Congratulations to the entire Airbus Aircraft team and your suppliers on this superb achievement!

Hamburg Airport also had a big milestone to celebrate this week. The inaugural direct flight from Qatar to Hamburg landed on 1 July, marking the launch by Qatar Airways of a new connection for Hamburg's growing route network. It's the second non-stop route from Hamburg to the Middle East, adding to Emirates' flights to its hub in Dubai. We're thrilled that Hamburg's airport is raising its profile outside of Europe. Hubs like HAM stand to benefit greatly from the new A321XLR and its unparalleled range in the single-aisle segment - here's hoping that the XLR will open up further international routes for Hamburg in the future. Exciting times!

Wishing you a great rest of the week,

Angus Baigent and the Hamburg Aviation team

Airbus A321XLR: Structural Assembly Hall inaugurated

Hall 246 will see mating of fuselage shells, as well as the mounting of the Rear Center Tank, a key part of the XLR’s ability to offer class-leading range of 8,700km. Commenting on the completion of the new hall, Melanie Leonhard, Hamburg's Senator for Economy and Innovation, said: "The Airbus A321XLR is a truly impressive example of technological development, efficiency and sustainability and can drive forward precisely these issues in aviation. It is not only the aircraft itself that is innovative, but also its production, which is why this Hall 246 is one of the most modern production halls in the world and sets new standards in terms of efficiency and innovation. In this respect, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg would like to thank Airbus and its partners once again for making this possible in such an impressively short space of time." More

Hamburg Airport welcomes first direct Qatar Airlines flight

Hamburg Airport this week celebrated the opening of a new non-stop route to and from Doha, welcoming the first service from Qatar's capital on 1 July. The new route strengthens the airport's international route network by adding the second long-haul destination to the Middle East. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: "Qatar Airways warmly welcomes the beautiful city of Hamburg as the latest destination in its extensive route network and the fifth gateway in Germany, a key market for the airline." More

ZAL Center for Applied Aeronautical Research: Upcoming expansion to accelerate R&D for German Aerospace Center in Hamburg

This summer, two institutes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will move into their new spaces in the upcoming extension of ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research, both researching, among many other areas, different aspects of aircraft cabins: DLR Institute of System Architectures in Aeronautics and DLR Institute of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul. Commenting on the upcoming expansion during a recent tour of Aircraft Interiors Expo, Senator Melanie Leonhard, Head of Hamburg's Ministry of Economy and Innovation commented: "We are the third largest civil aviation location. And if we remain this innovative and if we succeed in creating another location at the Centre for Applied Aeronautical Research, where a second site will be opening soon, where we can work together with science and industry at various levels in the way we have done so far, then we in Hamburg have a lot to offer. And my feeling is that we can emphasise this even more."