newstodate.aero
Dec 23, 2013 (newstodate): Airbus is confident of the successful progression of its A350 XWB test program.
Two test aircraft are currently operating in the test flight program, and two more will join in February 2014.
So far, the two test aircraft have performed 115 and 44 flights, respectively, with 500 and 250 flight hours - all without any snags or changes in the programs.
According to Airbus, the certification of the aircraft is expected by August 2014, with the first delivery to Qatar Airlines one month later.
The production rate is set for 10 aircraft per month by 2017, and already by the end of 2014 the rate is expected to reach three aircraft per month.
The last new Airbus A350 XWB customer in 2013 seems to be Air Caraibes that placed a firm order for three A350-1000 besides signing up for lease of a further three A350-900 from ILFC.
Including this firm order from Air Caraibes, the A350 XWB has won 817 firm orders from 37 customers worldwide.
The direct competitor to the A350 XWB, Boeing's Dreamliner has now booked a total of 1,012 firm orders, and 103 aircraft have already been delivered, with All Nippon Airways taking over the first unit on September 2011.
The entry into service of the Boeing 787 has, however, been marred by many teething troubles that are still experienced by several of its operators.
It remains to be seen if the Airbus A350 XWB will perform better from the start..
Two test aircraft are currently operating in the test flight program, and two more will join in February 2014.
So far, the two test aircraft have performed 115 and 44 flights, respectively, with 500 and 250 flight hours - all without any snags or changes in the programs.
According to Airbus, the certification of the aircraft is expected by August 2014, with the first delivery to Qatar Airlines one month later.
The production rate is set for 10 aircraft per month by 2017, and already by the end of 2014 the rate is expected to reach three aircraft per month.
The last new Airbus A350 XWB customer in 2013 seems to be Air Caraibes that placed a firm order for three A350-1000 besides signing up for lease of a further three A350-900 from ILFC.
Including this firm order from Air Caraibes, the A350 XWB has won 817 firm orders from 37 customers worldwide.
The direct competitor to the A350 XWB, Boeing's Dreamliner has now booked a total of 1,012 firm orders, and 103 aircraft have already been delivered, with All Nippon Airways taking over the first unit on September 2011.
The entry into service of the Boeing 787 has, however, been marred by many teething troubles that are still experienced by several of its operators.
It remains to be seen if the Airbus A350 XWB will perform better from the start..