Another award for A350 XWB Program and Didier Evrard.

Last week, in Paris, Didier Evrard, Head of Programs at Airbus, was awarded the 2015 Icare prize by the France-based Association for Professional Aeronautics and Aerospace Journalists (AJPAE).

He received this accolade as Head of the A350 XWB Program, a role he held from 2007 to 2014.

This association of journalists wished to highlight the exemplary manner in which he led this ambitious program.

“I am very honoured by the award which is being given to me today,” stated Didier Evrard.

“The A350 XWB development is first and foremost a human adventure, a group effort, and the result of a united team, enriched by its diversity and experiences, committed and passionate.

It’s the consecration of several years of work for thousands of highly qualified and skilled people, both at Airbus and at our partners and suppliers.

The roadmap was very ambitious. Above all, it was necessary to accelerate technologies which were not yet fully mature in order to manufacture a carbon aircraft, establish industrial bases to support the suppliers and prepare for series production.

Together, we successfully confronted the challenges of developing a brand new, cutting-edge technology aircraft,” he added.

Source: Airbus

Based on the press release “Didier Evrard, Head of Programmes at Airbus, has been awarded the 2015 Icare Prize”

A350 on the front pages. Pre-Paris Airshow.

Airbus has invited 4 main media magazines and web-page to fly on the A350 prototype only 3 weeks before the Paris Airshow, assuring front pages and excellent technical reviews and videos on the A350 XWB.

Leeham News

FlightGlobal

Aviation Week

Air&Cosmos

Qatar Airways inaugurates Asia’s A350 service with Doha-Singapore route.

Qatar Airways became the first airline to operate the A350 to Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.

In the inaugural A350 XWB service, upon touching down at Singapore Changi Airport, QR944 was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute, a long-held tradition to welcome special flights or planes to an airport, and an exclusive welcome ceremony.

Marwan Koleilat, Qatar Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, speaking at the welcome ceremony held at Changi Airport, said: “The A350 is the 3rd and final major new aircraft in a decade and Qatar Airways is delighted to be the 1st global airline to fly this state-of-the-art aircraft into Singapore and Asia Pacific.”

“Singapore is a key market for Qatar Airways and we remain committed to offering our Singapore-based passengers the best in-flight experience possible.”

Following Frankfurt, Singapore is only the 2nd route for the A350.

The Doha-based airline currently operates a double-daily service to Singapore with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the aircraft will be progressively replaced by the A350.

In addition, from later this summer, Qatar Airways will add an additional daily flight to Singapore, as part of its global expansion drive and to cater to the increase in passenger demand.

Source: Manuel Belleli

All 3 daily flights will be operated using the A350 by mid-August.

Source: Manuel Belleli

Triple Daily Doha – Singapore Schedules from 1st June 2015:

·         Departure in Doha QR944 at 02:25, arriving in Singapore at 15:15

·         Departure from Singapore QR945 02:30, arriving in Doha at 05:05

·         Departure in Doha QR938 at 07:00, arriving in Singapore at 19:50

·         Departure from Singapore QR939 at 21:20, arriving in Doha at 23:55

·         Departure in Doha QR942 at 20:25, arriving in Singapore at 09:15 (next day)

Based on the press release “Qatar Airways launches Asia´s first A350 XWB service to Singapore Changi Airport”

1st Cathay A350 to start Final Assembly phase in coming weeks.

With less than 10 months to go before entry into service, production of Cathay’s first A350 is about to move into full swing. 

The major sections of the MSN29 aircraft are being completed at various sites across Europe, ie. St. Nazaire and Hamburg pre-FALs.

The main fuselage sections are set to commence shipping to Toulouse this month for final assembly.

Once on the final assembly line at the Airbus factory, the fuselage, wing and tail sections will be joined together, and by July the aircraft should be ready for its first electrical power-up.

System checks will follow together with the installation of the 2 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and the cabin interior.


Aircraft painting is planned for November and the first test flight scheduled for December.

“The customer delivery phase will commence in February 2016 when the Cathay aircraft acceptance team will travel to Toulouse to perform a series of formal acceptance procedures, including test-flying the aircraft,” said Engineering’s Bob Taylor Head of A350 Project.

All pictures. Source: Cathay

Based on the press release "Final assembly of first Cathay A350 begins in Toulouse this month"

Singapore´s 1st A350 fuselage moving to wing junction in Toulouse.

Airbus has begun final assembly of the first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines at its facilities in Toulouse.

Source: Airbus

The aircraft MSN26 is the first of 70 A350 XWBs ordered by the airline and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2016.

The A350 XWB will form a major part of the future Singapore Airlines fleet and will be operated on the carrier’s medium and long-haul routes.

The aircraft is now being moved in from the initial fuselage section joining phase to the wing junction, start of cabin installation and first power-on.

Based on the press release “Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes shape”

A pair of A350 in París Air Show.

Airbus has announced that an A350 XWB of launch customer Qatar Airways will be on the static display.

Source: A380_TLS_A350

Throughout the week, MSN2 test aircraft equipped with cabin will take part in the flying display.

Source: Linder Fotografie

Although it was considered to get the MSN14 with Vietnam Airlines blue livery during the 2nd week of June at Le Bourget, finally the launch customer Qatar has included one A350 on it's huge set of aircraft that will be showcase, including a 787, A380, A319 and A320.

Based on the press release "Airbus Group plans major presence at París Air Show 2015".

First test flight for Vietnam Airlines A350 in coming weeks.

Vietnam Airlines has confirmed that its first A350 XWB has moved to the ground test station to prepare for its first test flight in the coming weeks.

Vietnam Airlines plans to operate A350 XWB fleet on long-haul routes, beginning with Ha Noi-Paris route in mid-2015.

The first A350 for Vietnam Airlines is now moving to the advanced phase of production. With the engines installed, the aircraft has entered several days of ground tests prior to first flight.

All pictures. Source : Airbus

Based on the article “Vietnam Airlines first A350 XWB moves to 'advanced phase of production'” published in CAPA.