HELSINKI: Finnish airline Finnair has inducted eight Airbus A350-900 to a previous order from the European aerospace giant, bringing the total to 19 aircraft.
The estimated value of the transaction, calculated from catalogue prices, amounts to 1.9 billion euros.
“Finnair was launch customer of the A350, and in 2007 placed an order for 11 A350-900s, including an option for a further eight. This agreement brings the total committed order to 19 A350-900s,” Airbus said in a statement.
Finnair is expected in late 2015 to become the first European carrier to receive the A350-900, which will have a seat capacity of 297 economy and business passengers, according to the manufacturer. The airline will use the A350-900 on its long-haul routes to Asia and North America.
Finnair currently owns an all-Airbus 45-aircraft fleet. The A350, which is expected to start flying in mid-December with Qatar Airways, is Airbus’s newest ultra-high capacity aircraft model.
The plane, whose wings and fuselage are made of carbon fibre, will save up to 25 per cent in fuel consumption. The A350 will compete with Boeing’s 777 and 787 Dreamliners.
In late November, Airbus had received 775 A359 orders from 40 companies worldwide.
