Air China's first A350 takes maiden flight

Air China’s first Airbus A350-900 has performed its maiden flight in Toulouse.

The aircraft, painted in carrier’s blue and red livery, will enter the final phase of production, with further ground checks and test flights to be conducted before being prepared for delivery, says the manufacturer.

Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the aircraft, MSN 167, is scheduled to be delivered to the airline in mid-July. It is however unclear whether this will be the first A350 to be delivered to a mainland Chinese carrier.

Air China was the first mainland Chinese carrier to order the A350. It has 10 of the Rolls Royce Trent XWB-powered jets on order.

China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines each have orders for 20 A350-900s. Fleets Analyzer also shows that Sichuan Airlines will take two of the type – one each from lessors AerCap and Air Lease Corporation, while Hainan Airlines will take four – two each from AerCap and CIT Leasing.

One aircraft for Hainan Airlines, MSN 098, is scheduled for delivery in mid-June.

Source: flightglobal