{"id":94494,"date":"2025-05-14T23:28:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T17:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=94494"},"modified":"2025-05-14T22:53:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T17:23:58","slug":"air-canada-787-10-and-first-a321xlr-delivery-delay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/14\/air-canada-787-10-and-first-a321xlr-delivery-delay\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Canada New Boeing 787-10 and First A321XLR Delivery Delayed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MONTREAL-<\/strong> Air Canada (AC)<\/a> delayed deliveries of its Boeing 787-10<\/a> and first Airbus A321XLR<\/a> to 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline, operating from Toronto (YYZ)<\/strong>, mitigates impacts while advancing its New Frontiers plan<\/strong> despite supply chain challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Boeing<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada (AC) announced on May 9, 2025, that deliveries of its first Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-10 aircraft, initially expected in Q4 2025<\/strong>, are now deferred to Q1 2026, as stated by CFO John Di Bert during the airline\u2019s earnings call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The A321XLR, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G<\/a> geared turbofans, and the larger 787-10 are critical to the airline\u2019s New Frontiers plan.<\/strong> The plan is aimed at expanding long-haul routes. The delays are attributed to Airbus and Boeing\u2019s ongoing production and supply-chain issues. This marks a shift from Air Canada\u2019s March 2022 plan, which anticipated A321XLR deliveries starting in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pratt & Whitney PW1100G; Photo- Rafael Luiz Canossa | Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fleet Expansion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Montreal-based carrier, with 30 A321XLR firm orders with options for 10 more, plans to deploy these jets for transatlantic and secondary long-range routes from Toronto. The 787-10, with 18 firm orders and 12 options<\/strong> per Cirium data, will enhance capacity on high-demand routes like Montreal (YUL)<\/a> to London (LHR)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CEO Michael Rousseau emphasised readiness to integrate these aircraft. He noted proactive management with partners to mitigate delays through 2028, ensuring minimal disruption to Air Canada\u2019s 2026 schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Supply Chain and Production Issues<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Airbus and Boeing\u2019s delivery delays stem from supply-chain bottlenecks and production stabilisation efforts. Airbus, aiming to certify the A321XLR in 2023, faced setbacks, pushing Air Canada\u2019s timeline from 2024 to 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boeing\u2019s 787-10 delays, part of a broader production slowdown, reflect quality control measures post-2021 grounding, per Reuters. These issues, affecting 30% of global narrowbody orders per IATA<\/a>, have forced Air Canada (AC) to adjust its fleet plan, maintaining older A330s<\/a> and 737s <\/a>at Calgary to cover capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite U.S. tariffs on Canadian and European aircraft, Air Canada (AC) expects no short-term delivery impacts, as tariffs primarily affect 2027\u20132028 schedules<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airline\u2019s proactive approach includes leasing agreements and schedule adjustments, ensuring continuity on routes like Montreal (YUL) to Paris (CDG). Di Bert\u2019s assurance of managing \u201cparameters\u201d reflects Air Canada\u2019s two-year preparation for such delays, minimising operational strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Colin Cooke Photo | Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A220 Groundings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada (AC) faces additional challenges with 5 Airbus A220-300s<\/a> grounded for over 30 days due to Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engine recalls, per Cirium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CEO Mark Galardo noted the grounding peak has passed, with a progressive return to service expected in 2025, bolstering regional routes from Halifax (YHZ). The airline anticipates receiving 8 A220s and 3 737 Max 8s<\/a> by year-end, increasing its fleet to 42 A220s and 48 737 Max,<\/strong> supporting domestic and U.S. routes from Vancouver (YVR). These deliveries ensure operational resilience despite A321XLR and 787-10 delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Compounded by Aviation A2Z, credits to Wikimedia and Air Canada<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Market Context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada (AC) reported a C$102 million ($73 million) Q1 2025 loss<\/strong>, up from C$81 million in 2024<\/strong>, driven by a downturn in U.S. and transatlantic markets, per the earnings call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The delays exacerbate financial pressures, with fleet renewal costs estimated at $2 billion through 2029, per CAPA. However, the airline\u2019s 6% revenue growth, fueled by domestic demand at Toronto, offsets some losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The New Frontiers plan, reliant on A321XLRS for cost-efficient long-haul routes, remains central to recovering profitability by 2027.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The delays, while challenging, align with industry trends, as 40% of global carriers face delivery setbacks, per Cirium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Air Canada Adds 4 New Destinations to Latin America, 13 Routes for Winter 2025-26<\/a><\/blockquote>