Airbus management has finally accepted that its narrowbody ambitions have been unrealistic, but there is confidence the OEM can deliver more widebodies.
Propulsive efficiency gains could diminish for bigger turbofans unless nacelle drag can be reduced. Flight tests show promise from a short inlet design.
Airbus has been selling more A321neos than A320neos since 2019. Now it is also producing more of its largest narrowbody—with significant strategic implications.
