Tag Archives: Airbus A350

Japan Airlines confirms $9.5bn Airbus order

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Japan Airlines confirms $9.5bn Airbus order

By Phil Davies

Japan Airlines confirms $9.5bn Airbus orderJapan Airlines has confirmed its first order for Airbus aircraft with a deal for 31 wide-body jets worth $9.5 billion.

The agreement also includes options for a further 25 aircraft.

The deal covers the purchase of 18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s, with the first aircraft due to enter service from 2019. The aircraft will gradually replace its ageing fleet over a six-year period.

It is the first order the European manufacturer has had from Japan for A350 EWB (extra wide-body) aircraft.

The A350-900 seats more than 300 passengers in a typical three-class configuration on routes as long as 8,100 nautical miles. The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers on flights of up to 8,400 nautical miles.

Jal president Yoshiharu Ueki said: “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.

“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.”

Airbus president and chief executive Fabrice Brégier said: “We sincerely welcome Japan Airlines as a new Airbus customer and feel honoured by this first-ever order from Japan for our all-new A350 XWB.

“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.”

The first A350-900 is due into commercial service in the second half of 2014. Airbus now has more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

Airbus opts for ‘Plan B’ for A350 after 787 battery problem

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Airbus opts for ‘Plan B’ for A350 after 787 battery problem

By Phil Davies

Airbus opts for 'Plan B' for A350 after 787 battery problemAirbus will not use lithium-ion batteries in its forthcoming A350 aircraft because of problems that have grounded rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

The European manufacturer is to use traditional nickel-cadmium batteries instead, as already used in the A380 superjumbo and other models.

Investigations are continuing after battery problems came to light on 787s operated by Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways which left 50 Dreamliners grounded around the world.

Airbus said it was “confident” that the lithium-ion battery it had been developing with French battery-maker Saft was “robust and safe”.

It added that A350 test flights would continue with the lithium batteries.

“However, to date, the root causes of the two recent industry Li-ion main batteries incidents remain unexplained to the best of our knowledge,” Airbus said.

“In this context, and with a view to ensuring the highest level of programme certainty, Airbus has decided to activate its Plan B and therefore to revert back to the proven and mastered nickel-cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme at entry into service.

“Airbus considers this to be the most appropriate way forward in the interest of programme execution and A350 XWB reliability.”

The firm said it did not expect any further delays to the launch of the A350, intended as a rival to the 787. The maiden flight is due to take place later this year, with the first passenger flight expected in the second half of 2014, the BBC reported.