Philippine Airlines (PAL) is planning to expand its European network in the coming years, including the launch of direct flights to Paris and Rome once the carrier takes delivery of six new A350 aircraft from 2018. The carrier recently placed the A350-900 order as part of its long-haul refleeting plan to replace its ageing A340s and is also scheduled to take delivery of two more B777-300ERs this year. PAL president & chief operating officer, Jaime J. Bautista, told media that several … [Read more...] about PAL eyes major European expansion with coming A350s
A350-900
Singapore Airlines takes delivery of first A350-900
Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB in Toulouse, France, becoming the fifth operator of the all-new widebody airliner. After an initial period flying on regional services to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta the aircraft will be deployed on long haul flights from May, starting with Amsterdam and then Dusseldorf. With 67 A350-900s on order, the aircraft type will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Most will be operated on long range … [Read more...] about Singapore Airlines takes delivery of first A350-900
Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes to the sky
The first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines completed its maiden flight over the skies of South West France yesterday. The aircraft will now enter the final phase of production, including further ground checks and test flights, before being prepared for delivery in the coming weeks. The all-new A350 XWB will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Altogether the airline has ordered 67 A350-900s which will be operated on long range flights, as well as on selected … [Read more...] about Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes to the sky
First China Airlines A350XWB takes shape
Assembly of the main airframe sections of the first A350 XWB for China Airlines is advancing at Airbus’ Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. This involves the assembly of the wing-fuselage junction, the installation of the tailplane and also the tailcone. The aircraft will then be moved to the next assembly station for structural completion, ground testing of mechanical, electrical and avionics systems, and then the start of cabin installation. First delivery of Airbus’ latest … [Read more...] about First China Airlines A350XWB takes shape
Airbus begins construction of first A350-1000 fuselage
Airbus factories are preparing the first fuselage structures for the new A350-1000. Following the recent delivery of the A350-1000’s first forward fuselage by the Airbus Group subsidiary Premium Aerotec (in Nordenham, Germany), to Airbus’ Hamburg plant for systems installation, the section was subsequently delivered to Airbus Saint-Nazaire plant to be mated with the cockpit fuselage panels (from Aerolia). Airbus engineers have developed various enhancements for this version of the A350 which … [Read more...] about Airbus begins construction of first A350-1000 fuselage
Ethiopian Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes shape
The first A350-900 for Ethiopian Airlines is taking shape on the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. Ethiopian Airlines will be the first African A350 XWB operator when it takes delivery of the aircraft next year. Mating of the various aircraft fuselage sections has begun and the vertical stabiliser (tailfin) has been attached. Work is also underway on joining the wings and the horizontal tailplanes to the fuselage, after which its undercarriage will be fitted. Airbus’ own A350 … [Read more...] about Ethiopian Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes shape
