Libya's Afriqiyah Airways converts A350-800 into A350-900 and orders #4 additional aircraft

 Airbus has waited till French foreign minister Laurent Fabius is in Libya -where he is meeting with President Mohamed Megarief and Prime Minister-elect Ali Zeidan- to announce that one month ago, Libyan carrier Afriqiyah Airways converted its previous order for #6 A350-800s into orders for the larger A350-900. And also Afriqiyah Airways ordered another #4 A350-900, bringing its total order to #10 aircraft.

Airbus is pushing airlines to convert A350-800 orders to larger A350-900.

As per Airbus´ press release, these aircraft will be operated on new routes the carrier will open to destinations in the US, the Middle East and Asia.

“Having Afriqiyah come back with this new, incremental order for the A350 XWB is great news and a strong signal that this aircraft is the industry’s new benchmark in the long-haul segment,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are convinced that the A350’s unbeatable economics and superior passenger comfort will be key contributors to Afriqiyah’s continued success.”

 the number 9.9.99 refers to the birth date (September 9, 1999) of the African Union

Based on Airbus´ press release “Afriqiyah Airways places firm order for four more A350 XWBs”