The first of three A350-1000 development aircraft to fly – MSN059 – landed at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport France yesterday after successfully completing its first flight which lasted four hours and 18 minutes. Powered by Rolls-Royce's new Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft traversed south-western France, during which the crew explored the aircraft's handling and flight envelope. The aircraft was accompanied by a chase plane to observe and film the various manoeuvres. Its progress was monitored by … [Read more...] about First A350-1000 successfully completes first flight
Airbus
Airbus delivers 10,000th aircraft to Singapore Airlines
Airbus celebrated the delivery of its 10,000th aircraft last week - an A350-900 for Singapore Airlines. The milestone event was marked by a special ceremony in Toulouse hosted by Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders and attended by Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines. The aircraft delivered is the sixth A350-900 for Singapore Airlines, out of a total order for 67. Featuring a special “10,000th Airbus” logo, the aircraft will be used to launch the airline’s new non-stop services between … [Read more...] about Airbus delivers 10,000th aircraft to Singapore Airlines
China Airlines becomes latest operator of the A350 XWB
Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) has taken delivery of its first A350-900, becoming the ninth airline to operate the world’s newest and most efficient twin engine widebody airliner. Altogether CAL has ordered 14 A350-900s. After an initial period flying on regional services between Taipei and Hong-Kong, the aircraft will be deployed on long haul flights, starting with Amsterdam, followed by Vienna and Rome. To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 810 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 43 customers … [Read more...] about China Airlines becomes latest operator of the A350 XWB
EU failed to remedy 40 years of Airbus subsidies: WTO
A World Trade Organisation (WTO) compliance panel ruled on 22 September that the European Union has failed to comply with its obligation to remedy the massive subsidies European governments have provided to create and sustain Airbus for more than 40 years. Rather than comply with their WTO obligations to remedy the US$17 billion in past subsidies provided to Airbus, the WTO found that EU Member States provided Airbus with new launch aid – reportedly almost $5 billion – so they could launch … [Read more...] about EU failed to remedy 40 years of Airbus subsidies: WTO
Singapore Airlines not extending first A380 lease
Singapore Airlines (SIA), which has 19 A380s in its fleet, has decided not to extend the lease contract for its first A380 which was the first of five A380s delivered from 2007. Decisions about keeping them - which are on 10-year leases - are due between this month—for the initial aircraft—and April 2017. The first Singapore Airlines A380, and the first-ever A380 delivered to an airline, will be returned to its owner, German investment fund Dr. Peters Group, in October 2017. The decision will … [Read more...] about Singapore Airlines not extending first A380 lease
Cathay Pacific Airways becomes new operator of the A350 XWB
Cathay Pacific Airways has become the sixth airline to operate the world’s latest and most efficient twin engine widebody aircraft. The airline’s first A350-900 featuring the carrier’s new livery has arrived at its home base in Hong Kong. After an initial period flying on regional routes, Cathay Pacific’s A350-900 will begin long haul operations later this year. Altogether Cathay Pacific has 48 A350 XWB on order, including 22 A350-900s and 26 of the larger A350-1000s. The A350 XWB … [Read more...] about Cathay Pacific Airways becomes new operator of the A350 XWB