Airbus signed up its first A350 commitments at the end of 2004, securing a deal from Spain's Air Europa for 10 firm plus two options. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) calls for delivery of the baseline A350-800 version, powered by General Electric GEnx engines, to the charter airline between 2010 and 2012. The aircraft will be configured with 300-330 seats.
The airline, currently an all-Boeing operator, signed the MoU as part of a deal for the lease of two A330-200s in early 2006, and an A340-200 for delivery this year. It operates 33 aircraft, including six 737-400s, 22 737-800s and five 767-300ERs. "This will be a key element in the complete renewal of the Air Europa widebody fleet, allowing us to continue our growth strategy," says Juan Jose Hidalgo, executive president of owner Globalia Group.
Source: Flight International
