Airbus delivers first ever A350 XWB to Qatar Airways

The A350 XWB embodies the most advanced technologies and breakthrough innovations in aerodynamics, light-weight materials and aircraft systems. Powered by ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and an extra-wide, bright and spacious cabin, the A350 XWB promises to be a firm favourite with travellers who will discover a whole new way of flying. Airlines will also benefit from unequalled levels of operating efficiency and cost effectiveness.
 
Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, said, “Receiving the A350 XWB as global launch customer is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, and after much anticipation, I am delighted that the day has come when we will welcome this latest generation aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet.
 
“In the seven years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership programme with Airbus, there has been significant growth in the airline industry. I am confident that this increase in passenger numbers around the world will only increase further in the years to come, and delighted that Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector in offering our passengers the opportunity to travel on board the most modern of airliners in the sky.”
 
John Rishton, Rolls-Royce, Chief Executive Officer said: “We are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus on the A350 XWB, using the latest technology to deliver new standards in customer service. This is a very important day for everyone at Rolls-Royce. It is the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter for our business.”
 
Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president and CEO said: “Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customers’ needs. The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly.” He adds: “It is with tremendous pride that we are delivering our first A350 XWB today to our launch customer, Qatar Airways. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading, world class airline.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad said: "In taking delivery of the first majority composite-built A350-900, Qatar Airways will be the first airline to boast operating the world's two newest generation airplanes alongside its burgeoning fleet of Boeing 787-8s.
 
"Ultimately, the A350XWB programme was one that Airbus was reluctant to launch while erroneously thinking its aging A330 could cut the mustard with the more fuel efficient and lower operating costs of the 787, the A350-900 will provide Qatar Airways another long haul jet that can further reach new destinations with a slightly higher capacity than its 787s on more dense and higher demand routes, particularly to regions like Europe.
 
"The long development process of the A350-900 has yielded Airbus a degree of success. After watching Boeing struggle with the delays on the 787 as well as learning lessons from its own A380 programme, which was also delayed, the culmination of this delivery to an Arabian airline signifies the tectonic shift in power away from traditional regions like the USA and Europe whose airlines used to be the prime candidates for new airplane launches.
 
Ahmad added: "With the A350 programme and indeed, the impending 777X that is poised to enter service with Emirates in 2020, the financial muscle and product superiority of GCC-based airlines is one that both Airbus and Boeing are eager to tap in to and it is of no surprise that a flagship customer like Qatar Airways is taking the first A350. Not only does it demonstrate their commitment to growth, but it also underlines Qatar Airways' status of a major industry mover-and-shaker that has worked in tandem with Airbus to refine the A350 family after several false starts on the programme a decade ago.
 
"The key for Airbus now will be to replicate the success that Boeing has had in ramping up deliveries in its 787 family. Despite the delays, Boeing has hiked production at its Everett and North Charleston plants and is currently on track to deliver around 110 787s this year. Airbus will be eager to ramp up A350 production over the next couple of years so that customers can get their hands on this new fuel efficient and environmentally friendly airplane to help cut fuel and operating bills.
 
"It's been a long road for Airbus to get here with the A350 having originally deciding not to respond to the runaway success of the 787. But now that the A350-900 is in Qatar Airways' hands, Airbus will be vying to garner more orders as airlines look to take advantage of these new generation of jets that aim to revolutionise air travel for airlines and passengers alike."