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Airbus to test folding wings on A321neo extension next year

The test will begin in the second half of next year, with Airbus installing about four to five metre wing extensions to study shapes that can work at congested airports.

Reported · Written up by our desk · North America

Airbus said it will test folding wings technology on a next-generation variant of its A321neo aircraft, aiming to address a practical constraint for longer, thinner, energy-saving wings made from lightweight composite materials.

The company said the problem is that such wings often do not fit in airports around the world that are already at or near full capacity. Airbus also described folding wingtips as a potential solution.

At the Farnborough airshow, Airbus wing of tomorrow programme head Sue Partridge said the value of being able to fold the wings is significant. She noted Boeing has already installed folding wingtips on its 777X, while Airbus said the technology has not been used on any single-aisle planes.

Airbus plans to start assembly of the wing extension in its factory in Broughton, north Wales. The first phase of tests will focus on the bolts that fix the extension in place before hinges, and Airbus said it will decide on the shape of its new aircraft by 2030.

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