First A350 Delivery is a historical event

When in an interview in Les Echos, President and CEO of Airbus Fabrice Brégier is asked about the historical mean of the A350 delivery to Qatar Airways, he emphasizes that the A350 is the 6th aircraft designed by Airbus in 45 years of history. 

The last clean-sheet new aircraft delivered was the A380 in 2007 and before there were the A300, A320, A340 and A330. Other models are and will be derivatives.

And the future? The A350 XWB is the last new jet from Airbus or Boeing until at least next decade. 

Well-controlled development.

Source: Airbus

Mr. Bregier points out the satisfaction of having overall well-controlled a very complex development, without delay on the last 2 years. "In the opinion of the experts, the A350 is the program with the better development performance of the history of aeronautics. 

This is the result of a huge mobilization, the Head of Program Didier Evrard, his Chief Engineer Gordon McConnell but also thousands of engineers and highly motivated team to meet this challenge, which we can all be very proud!"



Based on the interview to Fabrice Brégier: « L’enjeu de l’A350, c’est prendre la moitié d’un marché de mille milliards de dollars » published in Les Echos.

A350-1000 development on track. Large-component manufacturing started.

Development of the larger A350-1000 is “more than halfway through”, A350 program manager Didier Evrard said, with the first aircraft due to enter final assembly at the beginning of 2016.

Source: Airbus

Several major components for the jet are already being manufactured, including wing covers, the centre wing-box, the main landing-gear and carbon-fibre components for the doors.

Source: Maew Spotter

In 2^nd half of 2015 the subassembly of large work-packages will progress in order to start the final assembly in Toulouse in 1Q/2016 with the first flight scheduled after the summer in 2016.

Source: Airbus

“This aircraft benefits a lot from the -900,” says Evrard, adding that Airbus has been able to implement a “right-first-time” approach for the -1000.

Based on the article “Twelve customer A350s in final assembly” published in Flight Global.

1st A350 transfer flight home, Doha.

Qatar Airways' first A350 XWB (A7-ALA) has departed today from Toulouse (France) on it's delivery flight to Doha, Qatar. 

But she was not alone. The 4th A380 of Qatar Airways (A7-APD) is also making it's first journey home.

With the delivery of this A350, the airline becomes the first carrier in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airliner portfolio, comprising the A320, A330/A340, A350 and A380.

All pictures Source Airbus

Based on the press release "Qatar Airways’ 1st A350 accompanies its 4th A380 for delivery to Qatar".

Qatar Airways first A350 "In The Making". Video

Click on the picture to watch the assembly process of the MSN6 aircraft.

First A350 XWB delivery ceremony. Video

Click the picture to watch a 3 minute highlights-video 

Click the picture to watch uncut version of the video 1:47h

Hard work until A350 first delivery.

Qatar Airways has ordered 80 of the world’s most advanced airliners and the on-time, on-quality delivery is the culmination of 8 years’ hard work from everyone involved in the A350 XWB program.

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.”

John Rishton, Rolls-Royce, Chief Executive Officer said: “It is the culmination of years of hard work and the start of a new chapter for our business.”

Pictures Source Airbus

Based on the press release “Opening a new chapter in aviation, first delivery of A350 XWB to Qatar Airways”, based on the press release “Airbus delivers first ever A350 XWB to Qatar Airways” and based on the article “Qatar Airways Takes Delivery Of First Airbus A350” published in Aviation Week.

Qatar Airways, launch customer of A350 XWB

Customer satisfaction means giving the airlines that operate Airbus aircraft exactly what they want.

This was achieved on 22/December when A350 XWB MSN006 was delivered to launch customer Qatar Airways, widely recognized for insisting on the highest possible standards for its passengers.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. 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 7 years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership program 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.”

The A350 XWB fits seamlessly alongside Qatar Airways’ growing fleet of A380s and A330s, making the carrier the world’s first airline to operate each member of Airbus’ market leading Widebody Family.

Qatar Airways’ A350 XWBs, in combination with their A380s and A330s, will offer unprecedented levels of interoperability and comfort on the rapidly expanding Qatar Airways network of excellence.

This ceremony in Toulouse has followed the resolution of a few unspecified issues that had nothing to do with Airbus.

The aircraft, MSN006, was initially planned to be delivered more than a week earlier, but that event had been called off at short notice.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the delay had “nothing to do with Airbus,” but was rather linked to unspecified buyer-furnished equipment issues. According to industry sources, several more test flights were required to satisfy Qatar’s demands.

Qatar Airways was going to take delivery of the aircraft on 13/Dec, but that event was canceled at the last minute.

“You are a tough customer, my friend Akbar, a demanding customer, sometimes a little bit too demanding,” Bregier said. But he also hinted that the efforts to satisfy Qatar Airways have made the aircraft better.

The first aircraft is slated to be ferried to Doha on 23/Dec.

Pictures Source Airbus

Based on the press release “Opening a new chapter in aviation, first delivery of A350 XWB to Qatar Airways”, based on the press release “Airbus delivers first ever A350 XWB to Qatar Airways” and based on the article “Qatar Airways Takes Delivery Of First Airbus A350” published in Aviation Week.