Airbus has obtained the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) type certification for new-generation commercial airliner A350-900.
Certification of the aircraft marks the completion of regulatory stages and paves way to begin deliveries to launch customer Qatar Airways.
Airbus said: "The A350-900 type certification comes after successfully finishing a stringent programme of certification trials, which has taken its airframe and systems well beyond their design limits to ensure all airworthiness criteria are fully met."
Technical panels comprising 40 engineers and test pilots have evaluated various aspects of the aircraft, including structure, avionics, cabin safety and flight tests as part of the certification process.
The EASA flight test teams have participated in over 250 hours of flight testing.
The A350 XWB fleet of five test aircraft has to date completed several trials, including ‘Early Long Flight,’ hot weather testing, maximum energy rejected takeoff testing and route-proving tests.
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By GlobalDataPowered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350-900 can travel up to 7,750nm, and can accommodate 315 passengers.
Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier said: "Receiving the A350-900 type certification from EASA is a great achievement for Airbus and for all our partners who have contributed to designing, building and certificating this fantastic, new-generation aircraft.
"The A350 XWB embodies many extra innovative technologies, which make all the difference in passenger comfort and airline efficiency."
As of May 2014, the A350 XWB has logged 750 orders from 39 customers worldwide.
The A350-900 will compete with rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. The larger A350-1000, which is scheduled to enter service in 2017, will be pitched against Boeing 777.
Image: Airbus A350XWB formation flight. Photo: courtesy of RAMADIER Sylvain / Airbus SAS.
