Cathay Pacific Airways has firmed up a previously announced commitment for 30 all-new A350 XWB long range aircraft. The purchase agreement was finalised in Hong Kong today by Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways and John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Cathay Pacific will operate the A350 XWB across its route network, principally on non-stop services to Europe. Featuring an all-new design, the aircraft will represent a step change in operational efficiency, burning significantly less fuel than existing aircraft of a similar size and offering a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions. For passengers, the extra wide cabin will offer the highest standards in in-flight comfort, with a spacious interior design, new, wider windows and the latest state-of-the-art amenities.
Mr Tyler said: “I am delighted that we have now finalised this milestone deal for Cathay Pacific. The purchase of these new generation aircraft is an important step in our plan to grow our fleet to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the industry. The A350 fits perfectly into our operation. Its passenger capacity, flight range and operating economics are just right to become the backbone of our mid-sized long haul wide-bodied fleet."
“We are extremely pleased to have finalised this order with one of the world's most prestigious and well-managed airlines," said John Leahy. "The selection of the A350 XWB by Cathay Pacific is a clear endorsement of the aircraft’s compelling advantages over the competing product, with lower fuel-burn, reduced operating costs and a wider, more comfortable cabin. We look forward to the aircraft playing a key role in enabling Cathay to remain at the forefront of the industry with one of the cleanest and most modern fleets in the world."
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three basic passenger versions seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 Family is already one of most successful aircraft programmes ever, with a total of 558 firm orders already received from 34 customers worldwide.
Libyan Airlines receives its first new Airbus A320
Libyan Airlines, part of the Libyan Aviation Holding Company, has taken delivery of its first new Airbus A320 aircraft from the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. The new aircraft, the first of seven on order, will be equipped with On Air in-flight connectivity services allowing passengers to stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends while they travel.
Powered by CFM engines the aircraft will be operated on domestic and regional routes from the airlines hub in Tripoli, Libya.
The aircraft is fitted with several rows of convertible seats that enable the carrier to choose a variety of cabin configurations depending on their requirements. These range from the standard two class configuration with 32 business class seats and 108 economy class seats to an all economy cabin seating 156 passengers.
“Libyan Airlines strives to continuously improve the flying experience for our customers” said Captain Sabri, Chairman of Libyan Aviation Holding Company. “Our new A320, offering the best cabin comfort, and equipped with state of the art connectivity will bring unprecedented levels of service to our market. This is a major milestone in the history of Libyan Airlines.”
“The A320 is the most modern, efficient and comfortable single aisle aircraft available on the market” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We look forward to working with Libyan Airlines as they continue their fleet renewal and expansion.”
Airbus aircraft share a unique cockpit and operational commonality, allowing airlines to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers, bringing operational flexibility and resulting in significant cost savings.
In the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), Airbus has sold around 1000 aircraft and has a backlog of over 500. More than 500 Airbus aircraft are flying with 48 MENA operators, representing around 40% percent of the fleet in service in the region.
The A320 Family (A318, A319, A320 and A321) is recognized as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. With over 6,600 aircraft sold, and more than 4,300 aircraft delivered to some 310 customers and operators worldwide, the A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single-aisle aircraft family. With 99.7 per cent reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the worldwide standard wide-body system.
Airbus employees celebrate 40 Years of Innovation with their families
In a tremendous event encompassing five sites in Toulouse, Airbus celebrates today ‘40 Years of Innovation’ in Toulouse together with some 145,000 employees, families and friends. Airbus top management and Airbus pioneers deliver moving testimonies that marked some of the major steps through the manufacturer’s 40 year history.
“Our comprehensive family of aircraft has revolutionised aviation and its continued success in the market worldwide has led us to our global leadership position today. Over 40 years, Airbus people have developed break-through technologies and innovations that have become world standards. Today is the day to celebrate this together with our employees, their families and friends here at our sites around Toulouse,” explains Tom Enders.
On May 29th, 2009, Airbus started a series of milestone-events to mark its 40th anniversary. Airbus has organised Family Days for its employees so far at 15 sites around the world.
Family Days give employees, their families and friends the opportunity to discover the different professions in aeronautics, to visit all Airbus’ premises, to watch exceptional flying displays and to visit the whole range of Airbus aircraft.
Today’s Family Day is the first time ever that Airbus’ Toulouse sites are opened to the public all together. More than 3000 volunteers are supporting the event organisation and are animating conferences, stands and visits. Exceptional static and flying displays are organised demonstrating Airbus’ history of non-stop innovation and technology leadership.
On the occasion of the Toulouse Family Day, an exceptional company event, Airbus has presented its new logo, unveiled by EADS on Friday Sept 17. EADS is strengthening its branding with a modernized visual identity throughout the entire EADS Group. The Airbus’ logo maintains its strong and symbolic icon combined with a new modern 3D look.
Airbus today is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive family of airliners on the market, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Airbus has delivered more than 6,300 aircraft to over 420 customers and operators worldwide and boasts a healthy backlog of around 3,400 aircraft for delivery over the coming years. Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China, Japan and in the Middle East.
Malaysia Airlines has placed a firm order with Airbus for two more A330-200F freighters, following the conversion of two existing options. The latest contract increases the airline's firm orders for the type to four, all of which will be operated by the carrier's subsidiary MASkargo. The aircraft will be powered by PW4000 engines from Pratt & Whitney.
"We are confident that the A330-200F is set to become a game changer in the mid-size freighter market," said MASkargo Managing Director, Shahari Sulaiman. "The aircraft will enable MASkargo to efficiently match capacity closely to demand on many medium lift sectors across our cargo network, and especially those operating via intra Asia."
"This additional order underscores the increasing popularity of the new A330-200F as it enters airline service," said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus. "With this aircraft we are bringing new levels of efficiency to the freighter market and we are extremely pleased that MASkargo will be one of the early operators of the type."
The A330-200F is the latest addition to the highly successful A330 Family. Offering the lowest operating costs in its size category, it is the only modern mid-size, long haul, all-cargo aircraft capable of carrying 65 tonnes over 4,000nm/7,400km or 70 tonnes over 3,200nm/5,900km.
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