AirAsia X could delay A350 deliveries priorizing A330neo.

Malaysian long haul budget carrier AirAsia X Bhd could defer the delivery of its Airbus A350s if European economies fail to recover by the time it receives the first aircraft in 2018 or 2019, its chief executive said.

Source: Airbus

"You can't really pinpoint it until the first one enters into service and the production schedule gets firmed up by Airbus," said Azran Osman Rani.

The broader economy could also be a factor, he added.

"That really is conditional on the whole European economy bouncing back, travel from Europe to Asia being in a situation where demand exceeds supply, which isn't the case now because of the recession there and a lot of capacity from the Middle East carriers," said Azran, speaking in Singapore on the sidelines of a conference organised by industry consultancy CAPA.

Source: Airbus

AirAsia X has 10 A350s on order. It is due to take delivery of the jets in 2018 or 2019, said Azran. This year, it also ordered 50 A330neo aircraft.

"My immediate strategic focus is growing in depth and concentration across Asia Pacific instead of spreading thinly in going into Europe, U.S. and Africa," Azran said.

Based on the article “AirAsia X could defer delivery of A350 planes – CEO” published in Reuters.

EASA certifies A350 for 370 minute ETOPS before EIS. Key advantage for operators who want Xtralong polar and overseas routes.

Airbus has received approval from European regulators (EASA) to fly the A350 on a single-engine for up to 370 minutes from the nearest airfield, in a decision that opens up new long distance routes for airlines.

Source: Airbus

The European Aviation Safety Agency cleared the A350 for commercial service on 30/Sep, but held off on setting the single-engine operations limit as it continued analyzing flight test data provided by Airbus.

The A350 team conducted tests over the summer to demonstrate that the aircraft could contain fire in the cargo hold over the period and demonstrate the reliability of a range of onboard systems.

The A350’s ability to fly for 6 hours and 10 minutes means that it easily beats the 787 Dreamliner, which can fly for 5 hours and 12 minutes on one engine.

However, the performance of both aircraft means that ultralong polar and overseas routes are now open for airline operators. Some of the new, nonstop routes that would be open to twin-engine jets include trips from Australia to Brazil, or New Zealand to South Africa.

Source: David Barrie

The approval which includes ETOPS 180min in the basic specification also includes provisions for ‘ETOPS 300min’ and ‘ETOPS 370min’ depending on individual operator selection. The latter option extends the diversion distance up to an unprecedented 2,500nm – a distance which corresponds to a maximum ETOPS diversion time for the A350 of approximately 370 minutes, at one-engine-inoperative speed under standard atmospheric conditions.

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A350 operators will thus be able to serve new direct non-limiting routings, compared with a 180 minute ETOPS diversion time: The ETOPS 370min option will be of particular benefit for new direct southern routes such as between Australia, South Africa and South America; while the ETOPS 300min option will facilitate more efficient transoceanic routes across the North and Mid-Pacific – such as from South East Asia to US, and Australasia to the US. 

Source: Airbus

Meanwhile, operators flying on existing routes (currently flown with up to 180 minute diversion time) will be able to traverse a straighter and consequently quicker and more fuel efficient path, and also have access to more – and possibly better equipped – en-route diversion airports if needed.

Based on the press release “EASA certifies A350 XWB for up to 370 minute ETOPS”.

1st Qatar A350 first flight. Hand over scheduled for 2nd week of December.

Qatar Airways’ first Airbus A350-900 has taken off from Toulouse, marking the maiden flight of a serial production A350 airframe. The MSN6 departed today at around 14:20 returning back 4 hours later.

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Airbus is aiming to deliver the jet before the end of this year. Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker has indicated that the aircraft could be handed over within the first two weeks of December, between 4th and 10th.

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Based on the article “First Qatar A350 carries out maiden flight” published in Flight Global

Goodrich prepares it´s site in Toulouse for the A350 ramp-up. An innovative robotic thrust reverser production area and a moving nacelle assembly line.

UTC Aerospace Systems' Aerostructures business formally inaugurated a new building dedicated exclusively to production of thrust reversers and the integration of nacelle systems for the Airbus A350 XWB at its Toulouse site.

The opening of the building, operated by Goodrich Aerospace Europe S.A.S., features an innovative robotic thrust reverser assembly line. The facility was dedicated during an event attended by company leaders, Airbus executives, program teams and local employees.

The new building is adjacent to the existing production facility, which is a final assembly and integration site for the nacelle systems on several Airbus programs, including the A320.

The nacelle systems for the A350 XWB, the largest nacelle ever built by the Aerostructures business, will contribute to the expected lower fuel consumption offered by the new twinjet. The new building includes a 50.000-square-foot thrust reverser robotic production area with a moving assembly line, a paint shop with an infrared curing tunnel and office space for support functions.

"We have delivered more than 15.000 nacelles to Airbus in the past 40 years and we're extremely proud to celebrate another milestone today with the inauguration of this new A350 XWB building," said UTC Aerospace Systems – Aerostructures President Marc Duvall.

UTC Aerospace Systems provides more than 20 proprietary systems for the new Airbus A350 XWB including electric power generation and secondary distribution, wheels and carbon brakes, pilot side stick controllers, SmartProbe® air data system and various engine components.

Based on the press release “UTC Aerospace Systems inaugurates new building dedicated to the thrust reverser assembly for the Airbus A350 XWB nacelle systems in Toulouse, France”

Still 32 orders for the “develop-cancelled” A350-800 model.

AWAS announced the decision made in September to convert its positions for 2 A350-800s to 2 of the larger A350-900 model. AWAS was an initial launch customer for the program, and one of the first lessors to place an order for this game changing aircraft and will receive both aircraft from this firm order in 2017.

Ray Sisson, President & CEO AWAS commented, “AWAS is very pleased to be able to offer our global airline customers the breakthrough performance and efficiency of the A350 XWB. Our conversion to larger A350-900 model reflects our overall confidence and the strong development of the program to date.”

“AWAS’ decision to upsize to the A350-900 underlines the trend we are seeing across all market segments favouring larger aircraft models in all size categories,” said John Leahy, Airbus COO, Customers.

Although the development of the A350-800 is cancelled (see here), the A350-800 still has 32 order from 4 Customers: Yemenia – Yemen Airways with 10 orders, Aeroflot & Asiana Airlines with 8 orders each and Hawaiian Airlines with 6 aircraft ordered.

Based on the press release “AWAS reaffirms commitment to A350 XWB programme, converting positions to A350-900 widebodies”

A350 first Qatar aircraft will airborne in comming days.

With the first engine run shown in the picture taken in Toulouse yesterday, the MSN6 aircraft is going to airborne in comming days in it's Route to Entry Into Service before end of Year.

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Airbus is aware that it is working for a "demanding" customer, its chief executive said on Friday.

Airbus is now working to get the cabin furnishing ready for Qatar, a key task taking into consideration that Qatar recently rejected some aircraft from Airbus due to what it described as concerns over the quality of cabin fittings.

"We know it will be difficult to have it accepted because they are very demanding on quality, but it's a good start. We believe at least one aircraft will be delivered this year, but the customer has the final say" Fabrice Bregier added.

Based on the article "Qatar Airways being "difficult" on A350 launch, says Airbus boss" published by Arabian Business.

Lufthansa Technik offers technical support for A350 customers.

Lufthansa Technik is offering comprehensive technical support for the Airbus A350.
The spectrum of services covers the entire life cycle of the A350 and includes production inspections, material supply, maintenance and maintenance management as well as engineering services, entry-into-service support and LRU and engine maintenance. 

A particular focus of services for the A350 is aircraft IT management, since the aircraft and its maintenance systems are much more cross-linked than those of previous aircraft generations.


"Lufthansa Technik is already excellently prepared to maintain the A350, its carbon fiber structures and state-of-the-art engines and systems," says Wolfgang Weynell,  Vice President Corporate Sales and Marketing at Lufthansa Technik. 

"Our customers also benefit from the operational experience we have gathered in recent years maintaining the A380, which is quite similar to the technological demands of an A350 aircraft.

The required performance of engineering and maintenance services are already standard practice at Lufthansa  Technik and will be available to A350 operators from the first day of commercial operation. 

The infrastructure needed to maintain the A350 is already in place, and all of our preparations are on schedule."


Lufthansa Technik focuses their proposal on the experience from the A380, the expertise in composite repairs -with the Airframe Related Component Services (ARC®)- and their background as the "competent integrator to facilitate a worry-free operation from the first day of operations".

Lufthansa Technik is investing in the extensive involvement in the development program for the A350. Since 2008 Lufthansa Technik engineers have worked on behalf of Lufthansa, which will take delivery of its first A350s in 2016, with teams of airline experts known as Customer Focus Groups.

These teams have provided support for Airbus with numerous aspects of aircraft design, from flight operations and maintenance all the way to cockpit layout.

Last 25/July/2014 the A350 MSN5 flight test prototype visited Frankfurt airport where towing, ground power, refueling, air-conditioning units and engine start assistance were all tested for the first time. Lufthansa Technik staff from Frankfurt and Munich were on hand in Frankfurt.



Based on the press release "Comprehensive technical support for the Airbus A350"