China Southern Airlines recently ordered 20 Airbus Industrie A350-XWB wide-bodied aircraft for use on its international routes.
The aircraft, whose wings and newly-developed Rolls-Royce fuel efficient engines are manufactured in the UK, will join China Southern’s extensive fleet. The Chinese carrier operates the fourth-largest fleet in the world with 700 passenger and cargo aircraft including Boeing 787, Boeing 777, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 737 and Airbus A380, A330, A321, A320 and A319 aircraft.
Tang Wengeng, president of China Southern, said “With its long range capability, economic fuel consumption and spacious cabin, the A350-XWB is the ideal choice for our international long-haul routes.”
There’s no word yet on China Southern’s cabin configuration but their latest generation product has a good hard product in Business.
The A350-XWB features a carbon-fiber fuselage and wing sections, and the manufacturers claim a 25 percent drop in fuel-burn and emissions, with much lower maintenance costs.
With this latest order, Airbus now has a total of 841 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 45 customers worldwide.
No price tag was put on the China Southern deal but Airbus lists the price per aircraft at $356 million on its official website.
