The A350 XWB makes its debut in New Zealand

The world’s newest, most modern and efficient aircraft, the Airbus A350 XWB has made its debut in New Zealand, landing at Auckland International Airport carrying VIP guests on August 5th, from Sydney. Earlier in the day, the A350 XWB touched down in Sydney from Johannesburg, South Africa. On the 6th afternoon, the aircraft will fly to Santiago, Chile.
The aircraft is operated by Airbus flight crews and during this route proving exercise a representative airline schedule operation has to be demonstrated such as normal airline turnarounds using airport handling services

The tests form part of the final trials required for aircraft Type Certification, which is expected in Q3, 2014. A350-900 (MSN 5), is one of five A350 test aircraft one of two with an Airbus cabin with 265 seats (42 business and 223 economy). The A350’s World Tour began on July 24th and ends on august 13th. It involves a series of tests on four different trips, visiting 14 airports.

The A350 XWB is the latest addition to the market-leading Airbus Widebody product line. Offering its customers a 25% reduction in fuel-burn, the all-new mid-size long-range A350 XWB Family comprises three versions from 276 to 369 seats. The A350 has carbon fibre fuselage and wings and sets new standards in terms of passenger experience, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. At the end of June 2014, the A350 XWB had won 742 orders from 38 customers worldwide.