First Vietnam A350 rolls out of assembly hall

The first Airbus A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines, to be leased from AerCap, has just moved to station 30 at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. This new milestone marks the completion of some of the major airframe assembly as well as the successful first electrical power-on. In station 30, the aircraft will now undergo ground tests, while the cabin installation initiated in the previous station (station 40) will be continued.

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100th Boeing 777-300ER for Emirates

Emirates Airline has taken delivery of its 100th Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range). Emirates has now 142 777s in operation and is the only airline in the world to operate all 777 variants.

KLM performs final MD-11 flights

On Sunday morning, 26 October, the two final scheduled passenger flights with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 widebodies are expected to arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The flights are performed by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the only airline still operating the MD-11 in the passenger transport role.

The first flight is scheduled for arrival at 5.45 a.m. local time, coming from Toronto. The second flight, from Montreal, the very last scheduled MD-11 passenger flight, should touch the concrete of one of Schiphol's runways around 6.35 hr.

SF Airlines orders Boeing 767BCFs

The Chinese courier company SF Airlines (ShunFeng Airlines) has placed an order for an undisclosed number of Boeing 767-300ER passenger-to-freighter conversions (Boeing Converted Freighters). SF Airlines, a subsidiary of Shenzhen Airlines, will accept its first redelivered 767 in the second half of 2015.

SF Airlines is building op a fleet of narrow- and widebody freighters to expand its network. At the moment it has seven Boeing 737 Classics and eight 757 freighters in service. The 767BCF offers the company intercontinental range capability. (Photo: SF Airlines)

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Common type rating pilot training for A350 and A330

European and US civil aviation authorities have approved common type rating pilot training on the Airbus A350 XWB and A330 widebody jetliners.

The approval means that pilots who are qualified and current on the A330 can already commence their preparations to take the A350 XWB’s controls by undergoing "differences training" only.

Airbus slows down A330 production

Airbus has decided to slow down the production rate for the A330 from the current rate of ten to nine aircraft a month in the fourth quarter of 2015 as it transitions towards the A330neo.

Since 2013, Airbus has been building ten A330 Family aircraft each month, the industry’s highest ever production rate for this aircraft size category.

First Qatar Airways A350 makes maiden flight

The Airbus A350-900 XWB for launch customer Qatar Airways has completed its maiden flight today.

Qatar Airways will receive the aircraft before the end of the year, says Airbus. The airline has 80 A350s on order, including 43 A350-900 and 37 of the larger A350-1000.

At the end of September 2014, the A350 XWB had won 750 orders from 39 customers worldwide. (Photo: Airbus)

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EASA certifies A350 for 'Beyond 180min' ETOPS

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the Airbus A350-900 XWB for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) ‘Beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time. According to Airbus the A350 XWB is the first new airliner ever to receive such a level of ETOPS approval prior to entry into service (EIS). The FAA’s respective ETOPS certification of the A350 is expected soon.

Virgin Atlantic receives first Boeing 787

Virgin Atlantic Airways has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The airline is the European launch customer for the stretched version of the 787. Virgin Atlantic's first 787-9 touched down at London's Gatwick Airport today following a more than 7,400 km (4,000 nm) nonstop flight from Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

Airbus signs for A330 completion centre in China

Airbus and its Chinese partners (the Tianjin Free Trade Zone (TJFTZ) and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)), have re-confirmed their intention to set up an A330 Completion and Delivery Centre in Tianjin by signing a Letter of Intent (LoI).

The A330 Completion and Delivery Centre in Tianjin (C&DC Tianjin) will likely cover activities such as cabin installation, aircraft painting, engine runs and aircraft delivery. The aircraft would first be assembled in Toulouse and then fly to China for their completion in Tianjin.

China Airlines receives first Boeing 777-300ER

China Airlines of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER. The airline has ten of the aircraft type on order.

China Airlines introduces a new, state-of-the-art cabin interior onboard its 777-300ER designed by award-winning Taiwanese architect Ray Chen. The airline configured its 777-300ER to seat 358 passengers in a three-class layout highlighted by new 'Family Couch' seats in economy class, where three seats convert into a flat surface for rest and relaxation.

China Airlines will launch operations of its first 777-300ER to Hong Kong in October and will introduce the airplane on transpacific routes, connecting Taipei with major cities in North America, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York.

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Qatar A350 XWB in full colours

Airbus has published photographs of the first A350 XWB to be delivered to Qatar Airways later this year. The aircraft is in its full colour scheme now. On the picture it is being rolled out of the paintshop.

This week Airbus received European certification for the new widebody airliner. Teams of Airbus and Qatar Airways are working now to ensure a smooth hand-over process for the aircraft, with the final steps before delivery including cabin completion, as well as ground and flight tests. (Photo: Airbus)

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Qantas flies world's longest route with A380

Since this week Qantas is serving the world's longest airline route with the Airbus A380. Qantas started regular non-stop flights in both directions between Sydney and Dallas/Fort Worth, a distance of 13,804 km. The Australian flag carrier used to fly the Boeing 747 on this route, which flew non-stop to Dallas/Fort Worth, but had to make a stopover in Brisbane on the return flight because of headwinds. (Photo: Airbus)

A350 for Vietnam Airlines enters final assembly

Airbus has started final assembly of the first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines.

The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in mid-2015. Vietnam Airlines will then be the first Asian airline to fly the A350 XWB and the second operator in the world of the all-new widebody after Qatar Airways. Vietnam Airlines has 10 A350 XWBs on order.

To date, the A350 XWB has won 750 firm orders from 39 customers worldwide.

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