European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has successfully delivered the first Airbus A350-900 to gulf-carrier Emirates’. The aircraft marks a new era in the airline’s fleet strategy and is only the third aircraft type currently operated by Emirates. It is the first of a total of 65 A350-900s to be delivered to the carrier.
Emirates’ Airbus A350-900 is configured in a three-class layout which can accommodate a total of 312 passengers: 32 in business class, 21 in premium economy and 259 in economy class. The aircraft will open up new markets for Emirates.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group commented: “Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth. This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve. Onboard, our updated interiors and seating configurations will help us deliver a more elevated and comfortable experience to travellers across every cabin class. The 65 Emirates A350s joining our fleet in the coming years fit into the airline’s broader plans to support our visionary leadership’s Dubai’s D33 Strategy, which will transform the city into a pivotal hub in the global economy by expanding its connectivity and reach.”
Phillipe Mhun, Executive Vice President Programmes & Services for Airbus added: “We are proud to further expand our strategic partnership with Emirates which has flourished nearly 4 decades ago with the A300, the A310, the A330, the A340 and the A380. Marking a new chapter for Airbus, we expect the A350 to become an integral member of the Emirates’ fleet and support its continued growth and sustainability ambitions.”
According to Airbus, the A350 is the world’s most modern and efficient widebody aircraft and the long range leader in the 300-410 seater category. Its clean sheet design includes state-of-the-art technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and latest generation engines that together deliver a 25% advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and CO₂ emissions. The A350’s Airspace cabin is the quietest of any twin-aisle in the sky featuring a 50% noise footprint reduction versus the previous generation aircraft.
Source: emirates.com
