Airbus is nearing the beginning of A321XLR flight tests as the first aircraft emerges from the company's paint shop in Hamburg. The European airframer released a video via Twitter on 2 May that shows the twinjet (MSN 11,000) being painted at Airbus' facility in the German city. The aircraft bears the registration F-WXLR. Flight tests will begin in 2022 for entry-into-service scheduled next year, Airbus said in December 2021. Two additional A321XLRs (MSNs 11058 and 11080) are being assembled in Hamburg that will be involved in the flight test programme. The first aircraft is powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines and will be partially furnished with a passenger cabin in addition to flight test equipment. Pratt & Whitney's PW1100G is an alternative engine option on the A320neo family. Airbus previously said that the main difference in the A321XLR's production process versus other A321 variants is at section assembly level, in the pre-final assembly line, where a rear centre fuel tank is being installed in the aircraft aft fuselage, below the main deck. Capable of holding 12,900 litres of fuel, the rear centre tank increases the twinjet's range – in combination with an additional, optional forward centre tank – to 4,700nm (8,700km), from 4,000nm on the A321LR. Other changes on the A321XLR include a modified fuel-management system and a larger wastewater tank to accommodate longer flights. Data shows that Airbus has received 205 A321XLR orders. The airframer's A321neo backlog comprises 3,459 orders. Some 741 A321neos have been delivered, including 69 A321LRs. Of the A321neo fleet, 49 aircraft are listed as being in storage. Airbus's A320neo and A319neo backlog stand at 2,345 and 64 orders, respectively.

South African Airways interim chief executive Thomas Kgokolo will leave the carrier at the end of April after a year at the helm. The airline says it has appointed John Lamola as new executive chairman and chief executive, effective 1 May. Lamola has been non-executive chairman of SAA's interim board since July last year. SAA has made "significant strides in improving revenue and reopening services both locally and regionally" since exiting a business rescue process in April 2021, it says. The airline adds it is fully focused on its transition to control by envisaged majority shareholder, Takatso Consortium, which is set to take a 51% shareholding in SAA later this year.

The Qantas Group has confirmed an order for 12 Airbus A350-1000s to operate non-stop long-haul flights from Sydney and Melbourne to other cities including New York and London from late 2025 as part of Project Sunrise. Deliveries will begin in 2025 and are expected to be completed by 2028, it says in a 2 May press release. Domestically, Qantas says it will start the renewal of its narrowbodies as part of Project Winton with firm orders for 20 A321XLRs and 20 A220-300s as its Boeing 737s and 717s are gradually retired. "The first of these aircraft will start to arrive in late calendar 2023, with the order including purchase right options for another 94 aircraft for delivery through to at least 2034," it adds. Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce states: "The first Project Sunrise flights will be from New York and London, but the aircraft will also be able to operate non-stop flights to Australia from destinations such as Paris and Frankfurt." Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofan engines, the Qantas A350-1000 will carry 238 passengers across first, business, premium economy and economy, with more than 40% of the cabin dedicated to premium seating. Joyce adds: "These newer aircraft and engines will reduce emissions by at least 15% if running on fossil fuels, and significantly better when run on sustainable aviation fuel. This order brings us closer to our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Project Sunrise will be carbon neutral from day one." Capital expenditure for Project Sunrise is primarily in financial year (FY) 2025 and 2027, peaking at A$1.2 billion ($844 million) in FY 2026. The group says the order combines with the existing order of 109 A320s plus purchase rights for Jetstar into a single Qantas Group narrowbody order of 299 aircraft with the flexibility to draw down on that order by choosing any variant from the A320 and A220 families. Jetstar will convert 20 of its existing A320 family order to A321XLRs, which have the potential to fly short haul international routes, with delivery to start in the second half of calendar 2024. The first tranche of 18 A321LRs from this existing order are due to arrive from July onwards, it adds. The group states: "Total cost of the deal is commercial in confidence, though a significant discount from standard price should be assumed."