Airbus to test-run newest passenger aircraft in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is helping test the world's newest passenger plane as Airbus' A350 arrives for a series of trial flights, the final step before the aircraft can be certified and delivered later this year.

Cathay Pacific Airways, with 46 orders for the medium-sized wide-body jets, is the model's second-biggest customer in Asia after Singapore Airlines with 70.

This was partly why Hong Kong and Singapore were the only two Asian cities chosen for the aircraft's global airworthiness test flights that included 14 locations, said Didier Evrard, Airbus' A350 programme chief.

The long-haul oriented A350 XWB, available in three sizes with 276, 315 and 369 seats respectively, is set to be the world's most fuel-efficient and modern jet to date for its usage of advanced composite materials. It promises to offer a quieter, wider cabin and 25 per cent better fuel efficiency compared to rival Boeing's 777.

Evrard said the prototype aircraft was making four return trips between Hong Kong and Singapore to test its performance in hot and humid weather before returning to its base in Toulouse, France, tomorrow.

The first delivery to Qatar Airways is scheduled for the end of the year pending certification in September.

Airbus has received 736 orders from 37 customers, mainly for the two bigger models.