Singapore Airlines recently announced that it will order up to 50 Airbus A350 XWB wide-body aircraft. According to the agreement reached between Singapore Airlines and Airbus, the order includes 30 firm orders for the A350-900 and purchase options for 20 additional A350 aircraft. Upon exercising these options, the airline will have the flexibility to select either the A350-900 or the larger, longer-range A350-1000.
This order marks the third time Singapore Airlines has placed an order for the Airbus A350 XWB. Once finalized, the cumulative total of signed orders for the Airbus A350 XWB from Singapore Airlines will reach 70 aircraft. Singapore Airlines intends to deploy the A350 XWB fleet on medium- and long-haul routes.
“Singapore Airlines' latest A350 announcement further validates the success of the A350 program,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are getting ever closer to the A350's maiden flight, while orders continue to grow, particularly as customers increasingly favor larger models. Airbus will bring new changes to the medium-sized wide-body market with the A350 XWB, and we are very pleased that Singapore Airlines is joining us in this transformation.”
The Airbus A350 XWB family is a brand-new series of medium- to long-range aircraft, consisting of three models of varying sizes (A350-800, A350-900, and A350-1000). In a typical three-class cabin layout, the seating capacity ranges from 270 to 350 passengers, allowing airlines to further expand their route networks while generating substantial returns. The A350 XWB introduces a new standard of fuel efficiency to the mid-sized wide-body market, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 25% reduction in emissions compared to existing aircraft in the same category.
Currently, the first A350 XWB flight-test aircraft has completed final assembly and will begin a series of flight tests in the middle of this year. The Airbus A350 XWB is expected to enter service in the second half of 2014. To date, the A350 XWB has received 616 firm orders from 34 customers.
