A350 first delivery was delayed “to do touchups”.

Interesting opinion article by Karen Walker concerning the cause of the “awkward and last-minute handover delay in December with no reason given” of the 1^st delivery of the A350.

Source: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker is a notoriously hard man to please. As head of the launch customer airline for the Airbus A350 XWB, he has challenged the manufacturer and its engine supplier, Rolls-Royce.

Source: Qatar Airways

During the official reception ceremony of the A350 in Doha, Akbar was in good spirits, praising Airbus and Rolls-Royce for walking “hand-in-hand” with their customer throughout the development program. The result, he noted, was an aircraft that is “a magnificent masterpiece” that represents “the pinnacle” of Qatar Airways’ achievements so far.

Source: Qatar Airways

Even so, the straight-talking CEO couldn’t resist an opening jab during the press conference in Doha, with the brand-new aircraft waiting outside for dozens of international media to get a first glimpse of its cabins.

Taking his seat on the stage, and with Airbus EVP head of programs Didier Evrard and Rolls-Royce president, large civil engines, Eric Schulz seated either side, Al Baker quipped: “Any of you who did not apply your eyeliner or lipstick correctly, you can learn from Airbus how to do touchups.”

Whatever “touchups” Al Baker was referring to was not explained. But he seems pleased with the cosmetic work – noting in particular that the A350’s sweeping, curved wing is “very beautiful”. Indeed, it is.

Based on the article “Qatar Airways CEO offers tips on eyeliner and lipstick” published in ATW.

After Frankfurt, Qatar A350 will operate Singapore and New York with the A350 XWB.

Qatar Airways said it will operate both the 1st and 2nd examples of the A350 to Frankfurt, with the 3rd serving Singapore.

Source: Airbus

Subsequent destinations will include New York, secondary European cities and the Indian subcontinent, with Rio de Janeiro and Saudi Arabia possibilities, Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said in Doha.

He has also flagged Japan, Russia, Perth in Australia and more U.S. cities as likely destinations.

The CEO said Qatar is happy with the current order for 80 A350s but may add more if there’s sufficient demand from customers of its leasing business.

He reiterated that he’s keen to expedite deliveries both to replace older A330 jets and meet growth needs, with positions freed up after Emirates discarded an order for 70 A350s last year.

On some European routes the A350 will take over from 787s that joined the Qatar Air fleet from late 2012, he said.

Based on the article “Qatar Air Reveals Rollout Plan for A350 Jet, With Singapore Next” published in Bloomberg.

Qatar will start A350 commercial operations during 2015 summer season.

The first Qatar Airways´ A350 has visited this weekend London Heathrow airport, with a special access visit and demonstration flight for some guests on Monday 12/Jan/2015.

Local council representatives, media, and other guests were all in attendance at Heathrow on Monday  as guests were treated to a first-hand demonstration of the Qatar A350 XWB through a 2-hour flight around the UK.

Developments and improvements on functionalities on the A350 XWB will allow it to operate up to 16 decibels below the regulatory standards for aircraft of its kind, as well as reducing its carbon emissions.

To test the A350’s noise mitigation features, Qatar Airways’ crew have worked with Heathrow to carry out a series of proving flights at the airport over the past weekend, the first of a series to be undertaken as part of a long-term partnership.

There is a national consultation concerning the expansion of the airport and these tests are used by Heathrow to ask for the support to that expansion;

“New, quieter aircraft such as the A350 will help to ensure fewer local residents are affected by noise from Heathrow. Given the popular and competitive nature of Heathrow’s routes, airlines tend to use their newest and quietest aircraft at the airport. In fact, Heathrow’s fleet mix is made up of over 18% more Chapter 4 aircraft, the quietest and newest aircraft, than the global fleet average.”

Matt Gorman, Heathrow’s Sustainability Director said, “Heathrow is proud to count on airline partners like Qatar to use the quietest and most modern aircraft on our routes. We are committed to phasing-out the noisiest and oldest aircraft in the short-term, and ensuring that new aircraft like A350 are taken up by all our airline partners in the long-term, to benefit local residents.”

The A350 XWB exceeds Airbus´ targets on noise emissions far below the ICAO requirement in order to deliver quieter take-offs and landings at airports like Heathrow. Rolls-Royce has focused the Trent XWB development on ensuring “the best possible environmental performance to support Airbus A350 XWB operations.”

 All pictures Source Heathrow Airport

Based on the press release “Heathrow Airport welcomes Qatar A350 in style”

Rolls-Royce improves XWB-84 engine for A350-900.

Rolls-Royce is set to flight-test an improved fan for the XWB-84 engine which will run in early 2015.

The revised design “is over 100 lb. lighter than the current version” said XWB program director Simon Burr.

Source: Rolls-Royce

“There is a weight advantage but it also helps with the industrial process. That was part of the learning from the early stages and it also helps in terms of the production system.”

The new fan will be cut into the production line in the 3Q/2015, following the completion of flight tests that will check for relevant changes related to the power management algorithms in the electronic engine control system.

Source: Rolls-Royce

Based on the article “Rolls-Royce Begins Building First A350-1000 Flying Testbed Engine” published in Aviation Week.

Money for Vietnam Airlines' A350 XWB.

Vietcombank will grant a credit loan of US$160 million to the national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) to buy aircraft next year.

This was announced at the ceremony held for the signing of the agreement between the 2 parties on18/Dec. The loan will be used to buy 10 Airbus A350 XWB and also 8 Boeing B787-9 aircraft.

Source: Quentin Bonnet

Vietcombank became one of VNA's largest investors on 14/Nov, when the company launched an initial public offering on the HCM City Stock Exchange.

The A350 XWB will be put into operation in Vietnam by 2015. They will play a strategic role in the carrier's plan to launch long international routes.

Chairman of Vietcombank's Executive Board Nghiem Xuan Thanh said that being a leading commercial bank in Vietnam, Vietcombank had for many years seen VNA as one of its largest clients, and both shared a traditional and long-term relationship.

General Director of VNA Pham Ngoc Minh said that the firm would begin renewing its aircraft fleet with Airbus A350-900s (and also Boeing 787-9s) in 2015.

Source: Quentin Bonnet

"With the successful signing ceremony held today, we believe that the co-operation between VNA and Vietcombank will continuously develop, and ensure the essential interests of the parties," said Minh.

Based on the article “Vietnam Airlines gets loan for new planes” published in VietnamNet

Qatar Airways bases on 10/Jan the 1st A350 to London Heathrow for noise demonstrations.

Qatar Airways is basing onSaturday its first Airbus A350-900 at London Heathrow where it will undertake noise demonstrations with the airport operator in coming 4-5 days.

Source: Airbus

Speaking in Toulouse during the delivery ceremony for the first A350 on 22/December, Qatar Airways group CEO Akbar Al Baker said he wanted to use the A350 to demonstrate how quiet modern aircraft are to the airport’s local residents.

Source: Airbus

“We will base our first A350 at Heathrow for 4 to 5 days at the beginning of January to measure its noise emissions to prove to the British people that staying in the vicinity of an airport with modern aeroplanes flying around, they will hardly disturbed,” he said.

Source: Airbus

The A350 is going to be ferried to Heathrow for the trials as Qatar Airways works up with the new type ahead of its service debut on 15/January between Doha and Frankfurt.

Based on the article “Qatar A350 to operate Heathrow noise trials in January” published in Flight International.

Emirates will decide the major-order in 2015; Boeing 787 versus A350 XWB.

While Emirates and Qatar placed launch orders for the Boeing 777X at the 2013 Dubai Air Show, another major sales campaign likely will be decided in 2015, in time for the next air show in Dubai starting on 8/Nov/2015.

Source: Airbus

Emirates is looking at another large order for the Airbus A350 or the Boeing 787 for medium- to long-haul routes, including to destinations in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Source: Manuel Belleli

The campaign comes after Emirates canceled an earlier order for 70 A350s in 2014, as it was no longer happy with the type’s revised performance parameters.

Based on the article "Harvesting Brands" published in Aviation Week.