Historic day for Airbus as they hand over first A350 XWB to Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways and Airbus will mark a significant industry milestone today 22 December, with the handover of the worlds first customer A350 XWB.

Qatar Airways will receive the first A350XWB aircraft from Airbus in a ceremony in Toulouse today – click here to watch the ceremony 

The extra wide cabin A350 XWB is powered by ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines the wings are manufactured in Broughton.

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus Pdt & CEO: "It's an historical day, we are very proud of this brand new aircraft" #QatarA350 pic.twitter.com/eoRhRDOrjs

— Airbus (@Airbus) December 22, 2014

Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO said:

“Handing over the first A350 XWB represents a significant step in Airbus and aviation history. The A350 XWB becomes the most modern aircraft in service, developed with our excellence established over 45 years in meeting our customers’ needs. The A350 XWB is the latest Airbus aircraft to join the skies, revolutionising our industry and redefining the way people fly.” He adds: “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.”

H.E. Sheikh Meshal Bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of #Qatar to #France, aboard the #QatarA350 flight. pic.twitter.com/NNKOL43jcL

— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) December 22, 2014

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. 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.”

The new A350 will sit alongside Qatar Airways’ growing fleet of A380s and A330s, making the carrier the world’s first airline to operate each member of Airbus’ Widebody Family.