It’s Monday, and I’m still a few days behind on releases – so its time for some Airplane Art Extra as Qatar Airways and Airbus have released images of the the first Qatar Airways A350 to be delivered to the airline.
The first Qatar Airways A350 rolled out of the Toulouse Hanger – Note the missing engines.
The Qatar Airways A350 ready to roll out of the paint shop – Image Qatar Airways/Airbus
The first aircraft to be delivered to Qatar Airways (and the first commercial A350 to be delivered), will be an Airbus A350-900 model akin to the aircraft being used in the certification programme.
Qatar Airways will be the first to fly this class of aircraft, with delivery targeted towards the end of this year, subject to the various aviation administrations certifying the aircraft, and Qatar Airways accepting the plane and its cabin so it is suitable for their passengers.
The A350 programme has been through an interesting time recently, with the plane conducting a worldwide tour as part of its certification campaign, proving it can operate in specific circumstances and segment lengths.
This will be the first of eighty aircraft to be be delivered to the Middle Eastern airline. But this one won’t be going anyone fast, as it is it missing its pair of Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines needed to power this aircraft into the sky.
As the test programme wraps up, and the focus turns to delivering the first aircraft and ensuring Qatar Airways can operate this aircraft safely, more A350s will enter the paint hanger to get the colours of their operator, and hopefully take to the sky.
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