Doha, February 05 (QNA) - Award-winning Qatar Airways (QA) will be the world's first carrier to receive later this year Airbus Industries' state-of-the -art fuel-efficient and environment-friendly wide-body A350 XWB aircraft made from advanced materials, top officials said here Wednesday. Senior executives from Airbus and Rolls Royce, who collaborated to make this generation-next aircraft, with hosts Qatar Airways led by Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker showcased the aircraft, following a media conference, at an event held on the tarmac of the Hamad International Airport (HIA). Qatar Airways welcomed the Airbus A350 XWB from Airbus's base in Toulouse, France, as it made its first-ever landing at Qatar’s state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport (HIA) before departing to Singapore where it will be showcased at the Singapore Airshow. As the launch customer for the family of long-range, two-engine wide-body jet airliners, Akbar Al Baker welcomed Airbus A350 XWB Programme Executive Vice President Didier Evrard, and Rolls Royce Senior Vice President Customer Business Phil Harris, at the special event to mark the maiden landing. A delegation of Qatar's distinguished officials including Qatar Tourism Authority’s Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar HE Jean-Christophe Peaucelle, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Qatar HE Angelikai Storz-Chakarj, and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Qatar HE Maria Del Carmen De Labena visited the A350 XWB displayed on the HIA tarmac after the plane's flight crew did a fine display of steep 25 degree take-off at 270kms and did some deft manoeuvers for the guests.   
 The arrival of the A350 XWB to Doha from its Airbus base in Toulouse was a unique opportunity for both Airbus' flight crew as well as HIA air traffic control and ground officials to experience landing the new mid-sized wide-body jet on HIA's brand new 4,850-metre eastern runway engineered to meet the requirements of the world’s biggest and most advanced aircraft, QA said. HIA's dual runway system comprises a 4,850-metre eastern runway and a 4,250-metre western runway that are two kilometres apart. Designed for superior runway efficiency, it will be able to handle an incredible 100 aircraft every hour. Commenting on the occasion, QA CEO Al Baker said, "This is yet another key milestone in Qatar's aviation progress. We have been steadily investing in our infrastructure to enable us to stay ahead of the latest developments in the global aviation sector. HIA, which was built for advanced aircraft such as the Airbus A350 XWB, is our flagship asset and will soon be the new home of Qatar Airways and our modern fleet of aircraft, including the A350 XWB family." Now in its advanced flight test programme phase, the efficient A350 XWB airliners are scheduled to enter into commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2014. Qatar Airways has ordered 80 aircraft to date, leaning towards the larger A350-900 and A350-1000 models, which better suit its business model and passenger requirements. Speaking to the media during a question and answer session, Al Baker said, "Regarding the delivery schedule of A350 WXB aircraft, Airbus is absolutely on target with our delivery schedule. "Currently tests are on and Airbus has been very transparent with the test results. The first aircraft will be delivered later this year, another nine will follow in 2015 and starting from 2016 one aircraft per month which will later be increased to two per month," he added. The A350 XWB is a family of mid-sized wide-body airliners designed to enhance fuel, operating costs and environmental efficiencies during medium-to-long haul airline operations.  
Featuring the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies, these highly efficient aircraft provide better fuel efficiency of up to 25 per cent. Over 70 per cent of the A350 XWB's (seating capacity 315) weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites. Highlighting the plane's high technology, Airbus A350 XWB Programme Executive Vice-President Didier Evrard said, "More than 50% of material used in this aircraft is Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), 17% Advanced Aluminum Alloys, 14% Titanium and the rest comprises miscellaneous materials." On the French aircraft manufacturer’s market share, Evrard said, "We expect to further enhance our market share here. In 2013 we had 40% share in the Middle East market. We intend to hold on to it firmly." Speaking at the event, Rolls Royce Senior Vice President Phil Harris, thanked Qatar Airways and Airbus Industries and said, "It is very fitting that Qatar Airways which is the first five star airlines in the world who should be the first to launch the A350 XWB aircraft with Rolls Royce engine. Passengers are going to enjoy this aircraft that is going to be the work horse of Qatar Airways fleet till the FIFA World Cup in 2022." Replying to Arabic daily Al Sharq's question on the marketing strategy and ticketing prices adopted by QA's regional competitors, Al Baker said, "Every airline has a different strategy. We are keen to follow the strategy charted by QA. We are on target as per our strategy." Replying to The Peninsula’s question on how difficult it was to get the courage to be the launch customer of A350 WXB aircraft, Al Baker said, "It was not difficult for Qatar Airways to order the planes. We have confidence in Airbus and QA likes to use fuel efficient, sophisticated aircraft, and importantly QA likes to launch new aircraft that is why we are at the forefront of new launches." On the role played by a state carrier in spurring the country's economy, Al Baker said, "An airline indeed plays a very important part in a country's economic development. Can you imagine a country not having its own carrier and the consequences of relying on airlines from other countries? QA is playing its part in the economic development of Qatar. Its double digits growth reaffirms this. QA is the fastest growing airline with a year-on-year growth," Al-Baker concluded. (END)