AIRWAYS FEATURE
16 Aer Lingus was intended to be the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR . However , due to labor disputes with the Pilots , the aircraft was allocated to Iberia . // DIRK GROTHE - XFW
17 Iberia places part of its long-haul route strategy on the latest iteration of the Airbus A320 family aircraft . // DIRK GROTHE - XFW
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As the airline ’ s plans develop and longer routes are introduced over time , Iberia may need to adjust its staffing requirements for these flights to align with the demands of the Pilots and cabin crew unions . To fly the Airbus A321XLR , Iberia is not training wide-body Pilots , who are accustomed to long-haul flights . Instead , the airline has opted to certify single-aisle A320- family pilots for ETOPS operations , enabling them to operate longer flights on the XLR .
This shift would likely need to coincide with improvements in working conditions and salary increases , the same issues that may have contributed to Pilot disagreements with Aer Lingus . To date , no official statements have been issued by either the Spanish Pilots ’ or cabin crew unions ( SEPLA and SITCPLA ) regarding this issue .
The Airbus A321neo XLR is set to transform travel by connecting smaller cities more effectively , reducing carbon emissions , and lowering flight costs . Additionally , it may serve as an essential tool for the global aviation employment industry , highlighting its crucial role in the daily operation of long-haul commercial flights .
52 AIRWAYS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2025 www . airwaysmag . com