Key facts
- Airbus plans to test folding wings on an A321neo aircraft.
- The wing extensions will be approximately four to five meters long.
- Testing is scheduled for the second half of next year.
- The decision on the new aircraft's shape is expected by 2030.
- Rolls-Royce is developing new engine variants for narrowbody aircraft.
Airbus is set to test folding wings on one of its A321neo aircraft in the latter half of next year, a move aimed at enabling longer, more fuel-efficient wings without compromising airport compatibility. The planemaker aims to finalize the design for its next generation of bestselling planes by 2030.
Longer, thinner wings offer significant energy savings but pose logistical challenges for airports already operating at capacity. Folding wingtips provide a potential solution, a technology already employed by Boeing on its larger 777X model but not yet on single-aisle aircraft. Airbus will fit approximately four to five-meter extensions to the wings of an A321neo for real-world testing.
This development is part of a broader industry race between Airbus and its rival Boeing to innovate for the next generation of commercial aircraft, focusing on technologies to drastically cut energy usage. These include new engine designs, hybrid electric systems, and advanced wing technologies.
Rolls-Royce is actively seeking to supply engines for these new narrowbody aircraft, developing two variants of its UltraFan engine. The company's CEO, Tufan Erginbilgiç, is urging the UK government to support its investments, highlighting the UltraFan program as a major opportunity for UK economic growth and advanced manufacturing, though he noted alternative manufacturing locations exist.
Airbus is already beginning assembly of the wing extension at its Broughton factory in north Wales. The initial phase of testing will focus on the structural bolts, with hinges to enable folding to be incorporated later. The company anticipates that future aircraft will feature large-diameter engines and wings with a gull-like bend for aerodynamic benefits.