Aviation

Airbus delivers its first A350-1000 to launch customer Qatar Airways

Toulouse, 20^th February 2018 – Airbus has delivered the world’s first A350-1000 widebody airliner to launch customer Qatar Airways at a delivery event in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is the first of 37 A350-1000s ordered by the carrier and is the first ever Airbus aircraft fitted with the revolutionary new Qsuite seats, offering the first ever double bed in Business class. Qatar Airways is the world’s largest A350 XWB family customer with 76 aircraft on order and the largest A350-1000 customer.

The A350-1000 fits seamlessly alongside Qatar Airways’ growing fleet, including 20 A350-900s today. Both aircraft are complementary and provide for maximum commonality with unmatched operating efficiencies and the same unique passenger experience in their Airspace cabin. Flyers will benefit from absolute well-being in the cabin, with more personal space, optimised cabin altitude, more fresh air, controlled temperature & humidity, integrated connectivity and the latest generation of in-flight entertainment system.

Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce President – Civil Aerospace, stated “We are very proud to have worked with Qatar Airways and Airbus to deliver engines for this latest version of the A350 XWB family. This delivery marks another significant day in our partnership with the airline and the manufacturer as the new aircraft is powered by the most powerful engine ever developed for an Airbus aircraft, the Trent XWB-97.”

The A350-1000 is Airbus’ latest and largest widebody in the twin-aisle category. With a 7-metre longer fuselage, the A350-1000 space for premium cabin products is 40% larger than its smaller sibling the A350-900. In Qatar Airways configuration the A350-1000 offers 44 additional seats. It is a truly long-range aircraft with a range of 8,000nm (14,800 km) at entry into service. The A350-1000 features a modified wing trailing-edge, new six-wheel main landing gears and more powerful Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. As with the A350-900, the A350-1000 brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies for a 25 per cent step change in operating cost compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

Aviation

Airbus and French Aerospace Firms Growing Exports from India

In a significant move to bolster its supply chain, European aerospace giant Airbus has announced plans to ramp up component sourcing from India, tapping into the country’s vast opportunities.

During a press briefing in New Delhi on October 7, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the strategic importance of India within the Airbus supply chain, highlighting the company’s robust network of over 100 suppliers in the region.

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Faury, who also serves as Chairman of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), noted that there are abundant prospects for collaboration between Indian and French aerospace companies. Leading a high-level delegation from GIFAS, comprising more than 60 companies and over 100 representatives, Faury aims to foster deeper partnerships and enhance business opportunities between India and France.

“We will continue to grow our sourcing of components,” Faury stated, forecasting a doubling of component sourcing approximately every five years over the next decade. This stable growth trajectory underscores Airbus’s commitment to deepening its ties with India.

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Currently, Airbus holds an impressive order book of around 8,600 aircraft and anticipates producing about 770 planes this year. This ambitious production plan aligns with the expected surge in India’s domestic air passenger traffic, projected to reach 300 million by 2030, according to Union Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

During the briefing, Naidu also highlighted the substantial investments being made to develop India’s airport infrastructure, with $11 billion allocated for this purpose. The government plans to develop 200 additional airports over the next 20 to 25 years, significantly expanding the current count of 157 airports, heliports, and waterdromes. By the end of 2025, the number of operational airports is expected to reach 200.

“The potential for partnership between India and France is immense,” Naidu remarked, further reinforcing the collaborative spirit that Airbus and French aerospace firms seek to cultivate in India.