Airbus Delivers World’s First A350 XWB To Qatar Airways… Makes Aviation History!

The world’s first A350 XWB was delivered today to Qatar Airways, seven years after initially being ordered at the Paris Air Show.

The widebody airliner is set to redefine the way people fly thanks to more space, light-weight materials, innovative aerodynamics, and brand new aircraft systems.

Airbus president and CEO, Fabrice Brégier, said, “Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. It is with tremendous pride that we are delivering our first A350 XWB today to our launch customer, Qatar Airways. It’s a perfect match, to be handing over the first of an all-new, world class aircraft to a leading, world class airline.”

Qatar Airways group chief executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said, “Receiving the A350 XWB as global launch customer is a very proud moment for Qatar Airways, and after much anticipation, I am delighted that the day has come when we will welcome this latest generation aircraft into our rapidly expanding fleet. In the seven years since we first placed our order for this new aircraft type at the Paris Air Show, investing in a partnership programme with Airbus, there has been significant growth in the airline industry. I am confident that this increase in passenger numbers around the world will only increase further in the years to come, and delighted that Qatar Airways will be leading the way in the aviation sector in offering our passengers the opportunity to travel on board the most modern of airliners in the sky.”

Paul McKinlay, Head of Broughton Plant where the A350 XWB’s wings were manufactured, added, “There is a great sense of pride and achievement seeing the A350 transfer to its first customer today. The A350 represents the next generation in commercial air travel and Broughton is very much at the heart of that, manufacturing the wings for the entire fleet. I want to congratulate all those working on the A350 in Broughton for rising to the technological challenges presented by the new approach this aircraft has taken.”