Qatar Airways Will Take Delivery of World’s First A350 XWB on Dec. 13

Qatar Airways will take delivery of the world’s first Airbus A350 XWB on December 13.

Just months after earning certifications from the European Aviation Security Administration (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Qatar Airways will take delivery of the world’s first Airbus A350 XWB from the factory in Tolouse, France on December 13. In a press release, the airline announced the delivery as the first of 80 A350 XWB aircraft on order.

The A350 XWB, the newest aircraft in Airbus’ catalog, is composed of 53 percent composite material and has a range of over 7,000 nautical miles. In October, the EASA praised the A350 as one of the best designed aircraft in the certification process. The FAA subsequently approved the next-generation aircraft nearly a month later.

“The delivery of our first A350 XWB aircraft, as global launch customer, is a highly anticipated event in the relatively young history of Qatar Airways and the second significant fleet milestone for our airline” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways Group. “The arrival of this new generation of aircraft type represents a moment of great symbolic national pride for the State of Qatar, and I know its delivery will be met with excitement.”

Although Qatar Airways will be the first to operate the A350, over 40 airlines have submitted orders for the next-generation aircraft. According to Airbus, all three U.S. legacy carriers have orders for at least 20 A350, along with a growing number of international airlines.

Once Qatar Airways takes delivery of the aircraft, it will operate out of Hamad International Airport (DOH). In January 2015, the aircraft will launch commercial service between DOH and Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

[Photo: Qatar Airways]