Final assembly of the first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines has begun at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France.

Scheduled for delivery in mid-2015, Vietnam Air will become the first Asian airline and the second operator in the world to fly the A350 XWB.

Vietnam Airlines has a total of 10 A350 XWB on order. The widebody aircraft will be operated on the carrier’s premium long range services.

The five A350 test aircraft currently flying have accumulated some 2,600 flight hours in over 600 flights, with entry into service planned for Q4 2014. According to Vietnam Air, the A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) will bring a step change in efficiency compared with existing aircraft in this size category, using 25 per cent less fuel and providing an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions. To date, the A350 XWB has already received 750 orders from 39 customers worldwide.