Airbus Updates No.1187

Air Mauritius orders six A350 XWB

A350 key to modernising Air Mauritius’ all Airbus long-haul fleet

16 JULY 2014 PRESS RELEASE

Air Mauritius, the flag carrier of Mauritius has decided to expand and modernise its long-haul fleet with a Memorandum of Understanding for four A350-900 aircraft. The agreement was announced during the Farnborough International Airshow 2014. The airline has also announced that it is leasing two more A350-900s. The 6 A350 XWB will be operated on European, Asian and Australian routes.

Air Mauritius, voted the leading airline in the Indian Ocean at the World Travel Awards for the last last nine years and recently awarded a 4-STAR Skytrax rating, currently operates ten Airbus aircraft including two A330-200s and two A319s.

 “The A350 XWB combined with the A330 suits Air Mauritius’ entire long-range network and will be key to modernising our fleet while significantly reducing our operational costs and environmental footprint. It is the game-changer we were looking for,” said Andries Viljoen, Air Mauritius’ Chief Executive Officer. “These highly comfortable and fuel-efficient aircraft will fit nicely into our existing Airbus fleet, and our passengers will be able to enjoy seamless service and comfort levels throughout our entire product range.”

“We are honoured that Air Mauritius, a long-standing customer for 20 years, is ordering more Airbus aircraft,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “The fleet commonality unique to Airbus will maximise operational efficiency for the airline, and passengers will benefit from unmatched comfort levels on the world’s most modern aircraft.”

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long-range product line comprising three versions offering from 276 to 369 seats. The A350 XWB stands out in its class thanks to its combination of passenger comfort, technological innovation and its unique industrial process. Built hand-in-hand with our customers, the A350 XWB 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.

Airbus Updates No.1125

Airbus Updates No.1124

Airbus and Japan Airlines sign their first ever order

7 OCTOBER 2013 PRESS RELEASE

Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.* It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB, confirming its continuing success with world leading airlines across the globe. JAL and Airbus aim for entry into service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet approximately over a six year period.

“We will utilize the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines. “In addition to improving profitability with advanced aircraft, we always aim to deliver unparalleled services to customers with the latest cabin and steady expansion of our route network.” 

"Japan Airlines is well known as one of the most preferred airlines in the world providing its passengers with an excellent flight experience. We sincerely welcome Japan Airlines as a new Airbus customer and feel honored by this first ever order from Japan for our all-new A350 XWB,” said Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO of Airbus. "It fills us with pride to see a leading Japanese airline start a new chapter with us. This highlights a very bright and flourishing future for both of us, JAL and Airbus.”

In a typical three-class layout the A350-900 comfortably seats more than 300 passengers on routes as long as 8,100 nautical miles (nm). The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers on even longer missions up to 8,400 nm. All A350 XWB models are equipped with the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.  

Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. In addition to innovative materials, the A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies and provides significant improvement in fuel efficiency compared with competing models.

To date, the A350 XWB MSN1 has completed around 300 flight test hours out of the campaign’s total 2,500 hours which are to be achieved by five flight test A350’s over the next 12 months. Entry into commercial service of the A350-900 is scheduled for the second half of 2014. With this latest commitment, Airbus has recorded more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

* Before the merger by Japan Airlines and Japan Air Systems (JAS), JAS ordered Airbus aircraft. 

Airbus Updates No.1123

A strategic A350 XWB order from Japan Airlines expands Airbus’ presence in the Japanese market

7 OCTOBER 2013 HEADLINE NEWS

Japan Airlines’ order for 31 A350 XWBs brings the first Japanese carrier into the customer list for this next-generation extra-widebody jetliner, and further expands Airbus’ market presence in the island nation for its jetliner product line.

Today’s announcement of this important booking – involving both the benchmark A350-900 and longer-fuselage A350-1000 versions – makes Japan Airlines the seventh currently-operating Japanese carrier to have chosen Airbus’ family of modern commercial aircraft, joining AirAsia Japan (soon to be re-designated as Vanilla Air), All Nippon Airways, Jetstar Japan, Peach Aviation, Skymark Airlines and Starflyer.

Airbus aircraft in the region will double during the next five years and the company’s Japanese delivery backlog percentage has tripled from two years ago – representing its growing commercial success in Japan.  

Japanese operators have now selected every Airbus modern widebody jetliner type, with Skymark Airlines acquiring six A380s and arranging the lease of 10 A330s. The single-aisle A320 Family has become a cornerstone in fleets of the country’s low-cost carriers, as highlighted by this year’s 100^th delivery of an Airbus aircraft to Japan: an A320 received by JetStar Japan. 

Airbus has fostered strong industrial connections in the region, with Japanese companies such as Bridgestone, Panasonic, Yokogawa Electric and Minebea contributing to all of Airbus’ current production aircraft.  In addition, Toray and Toho Tenax signed a long-term agreement in 2010 to supply carbon fibre for the company’s jetliners.

Japanese partnerships with Airbus range from 17 companies for the double-deck A380, to 12 each for the A320 and A330 families, as well as four for the A350 XWB. 

Airbus also benefits from research and technology cooperation in Japan, including: composite research in partnership with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); and Japan’s Research and Development Institute for Metal and Composites for Future Industries (RIMCOF) – in developing structural health monitoring technology.

Airbus delivered its first aircraft to the Japanese market some three decades ago – an A300 received by TOA Domestic Airlines – and the company established an in-country presence in 2001 with its Airbus Japan operation