South Korea-based Asiana Airlines has signed a contract with Airbus for the purchase of 30 A350 XWB aircraft, plus10 options. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2016 and the airline will take a combination of all three variants of the A350 which it will operate on its regional and long haul routes.
“The A350 will play a key role in the Asiana fleet of the future,” said ParkChan-Bup, vice chairman and CEO of Asiana Airlines. “In placing this order today, we are ensuring that we will remain at the forefront of the airline industry, offering our passengers the very highest levels of comfort while operating only the most modern, fuel efficient aircraft.”
“We are pleased that Asiana has become the latest airline to select theA350 XWB, further strengthening the global customer base for this all-new aircraft family,” said John Leahy, Airbus COO, Customers.
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus’ response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-rangewide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314,and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers in a typical three-class layout. Orders for the aircraft stand at more than 350 from over 20 customers.