Page 36 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014 Online Magazine

NEWS

INduSTRy NEWS ANd uPdATES

Vistara Takes Delivery of
First Aircraft
Vistara – the new joint venture airline
of India’s Tata Sons and Singapore
Airlines Ltd. – has received its first
aircraft, an Airbus A320, inching a step
closer to launching domestic Indian
operations later this year.
The new aircraft - the first of 20
A320 family aircraft, to be leased from
Singapore-based BOC Aviation, was
flown from the Airbus manufacturing
Airbus A350-900 Receives EASA Type Certification plant at Toulouse in France to Delhi’s
The world’s latest generation “The A350 XWB manufacturing Indira Gandhi International airport late
commercial airliner, the A350-900, has programme has also been innovative September 25.
received Type Certification from the and ambitious, aiming for a fully mature The aircraft is fitted with ‘sharklets’
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) aircraft at entry into service and this or large wingtip devices which will help
on 30th September 2014. The certified is what we are proud to be delivering reduce fuel burn.
aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce to our first A350 XWB customer, Qatar With the first acquisition, the airline
Trent XWB engines. Federal Aviation Airways, before the end of the year. is planning to increase its fleet size to 20
Administration (FAA) certification will Our fleet of five test aircraft completed aircraft - including seven A320-200 and
follow shortly. the certification campaign, on time, 13 A320neo jets over the next five years.
The EASA A350-900 Type Certificate cost and quality. Accumulating more “The aircraft’s arrival is a key
was signed by EASA’s Executive Director, than 2,600 flight test hours, we created milestone for Vistara as it moves toward
Patrick Ky. The document was handed and successfully achieved one of the operational launch,” an official of the
over to Airbus’ Executive Vice President industry’s most thorough and efficient airline says.
Engineering, Charles Champion and test programmes ever developed for a Vistara has also signed a
Airbus’ A350 XWB Chief Engineer, jetliner,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus comprehensive maintenance agree-
Gordon McConnell. President and CEO. ment - Flight Hour Services Tailored
“Receiving the A350-900 Type The A350-900 Type Certification Support Package - with Airbus, which
Certification from EASA is a great comes after successfully finishing a is a first of its kind for any airline in
achievement for Airbus and for all stringent programme of certification India, which will include the areas of
our partners who have contributed to trials which has taken its airframe and airframe maintenance, engineering,
designing, building and certificating systems well beyond their design limits reliability and components supply chain
this fantastic, new generation aircraft. to ensure all airworthiness criteria are management.
The A350-900 is now ready to fly from fully met. The airline’s Chief Executive Officer
the nest and be enjoyed by airlines The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid- Phee Teik yeoh says the “proven and
and passengers,” said Fabrice Brégier, size long range product line and the newest reliable quality of Airbus meets our
Airbus President and CEO. “The A350 member of Airbus’ leading widebody stringent standards for safety, cabin
XWB embodies many extra innovative family. The A350 XWB stands out in its class comfort, fuel efficiency and overall
technologies which make all the thanks to its combination of passenger operational reliability.”
difference in passenger comfort and comfort, technological innovation and its “We are very excited to get the first
airline efficiency.” unique industrial process. aircraft,” he adds.

36 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM