Qatar Airways confirms the interest not only in larger A350 but in the largest A350-1000 when upgrading almost all A350-800 into A350-1000.

Launch customer Qatar will take larger A350 aircraft, but keeping total order at 80.

Qatar Airways had originally ordered 20 A350-800s, 40 A350-900s and 20 of the larger-capacity A350-1000s, but it has now dropped its order for A350-800s. The new order will comprise 43 A350-900s and 37 A350-1000s, and Qatar remains the launch customer for both variants.

"We have taken the time necessary to come to today's decision in favour of the larger A350 models, which we believe are best suited to our business model," says Qatar chief Akbar Al Baker.

“Qatar Airways has been involved in the development of the A350 XWB from the very early days. So we are truly delighted with their decision to grow their business with the two larger A350 XWB models,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus’ President and CEO. “This decision by Qatar Airways not only confirms the market trend towards larger A350’s but it also demonstrates the value of offering, as we do with the A350 XWB, a true family of aircraft from which our customers can select the models that best meet their individual requirements.”

The list price of original order was worth $22.43 billion. After the conversion, the order is worth $23.80 billion, although airlines typically negotiate substantial discounts or other sweeteners for bulk deals. And if you are the launch customer, the price is reduced drastically.

Qatar Airways' decision reduces to 92 the number of 250-seat A350-800s in Airbus's order book, while orders for the A350-900 now total 365 and those for the largest-capacity 350-seater A350-1000 now stand at 105.

 

It is not a surprise as Airbus is moving in this direction since some months ago investing in an improve program for the A330 announced in Farnborough in July/2012 and recently endorsed with new 242 tonne takeoff-weight capability, that  increases revenue payload on longer missions, extends market coverage -new direct flights with A330-300s between South-East Asia and Europe- and gives extra fuel capacity extending range by around 500nm at full passenger payload

A330 has been identified by Airbus as the aircraft to maintain market position versus 787 until the 2020 decade.

Meanwhile Boeing is waiting till Le Bourget next year to officially launch 787-10, 777X or both for the A350-1000 market. Engineering resources, investment required and engine capabilities are key factors for Boeing´s go ahead.

Airbus will decide in comming months (and also communicate in Le Bourget) what is the future of the smallest brother in the family; A350-800 could be postponed, cancelled or maintained. Considering that the wide body market continues growing in quantity and in size, it will make sense if Airbus postpone the A350-800.