News
A350-1000 gains EASA and FAA certifications
November 24th 2017
Airbus’ latest long-haul airliner, the A350-1000, has secured both European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certifications, the Toulouse-based OEM announced on Tuesday. Read More »
The former was signed by EASA certification director, Trévor Woods, and the latter by FAA international section manager, Bob Breneman. Both certificates were handed over to Airbus executive vice president of engineering, Charles Champion.
“Receiving the A350-1000 Type Certification from EASA and FAA less than one year after its first flight is an incredible achievement for Airbus and for all our partners who have been instrumental in building and testing this superb widebody aircraft,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus COO and President Commercial Aircraft. “The A350-1000 benefits from the maturity of its successful brother, the A350-900, which has translated into excellent right-on-time performance. We now look forward to deliver the first aircraft to Qatar Airways by the end of the year.”
Airbus said the three A350-1000 flight test aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, have successfully accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours. Of these, 150 flight test hours were completed in an airline-like operational environment to demonstrate its readiness for entry into service.
The -1000 shares 95% systems commonality with the smaller A350-900, as well as the same type rating.
The new market entrant can accommodate up to 40 additional passengers vis-à-vis the -900 (in a typical three-class configuration). The A350-1000 also features a modified wing trailing-edge and new six-wheel main landing-gear bogies.
Despite all these innovations, the A350-1000 has been slow to sell and a number of airlines this year converted their -1000 orders into commitments for smaller aircraft types amid concerns of overcapacity in the market.
To date, eleven carriers have ordered 169 A350-1000s. Qatar Airways has 37 on order, Etihad Airways got 22 and Cathay Pacific Airways booked 20 aircraft (after converting six to the smaller -900).
Airbus claims that the -1000 will deliver a 25% fuel burn reduction compared to Boeing’s still fast-selling B777-300ER.
