Singapore Airlines looks to the future with orders for A380 and A350 XWB

Singapore Airlines has selected a large fleet of Airbus airliners to meet its future wide-body fleet requirements. The Letter of Intent (LOI) covers an order of nine firm A380-800s, and six new options, utilising delivery positions protected by options in the Airline's initial order for ten aircraft in 2001. The LOI also includes 20 orders and 20 options for the all new A350 XWB-900. Singapore Airlines is already a launch customer for the A380 with ten firm orders placed in 2001.

The A350 XWB (extra wide-body) is Airbus' response to market demand for a medium capacity long range wide-body family. Available from 2012, it will have an entirely new, uncompromised, 21st Century design with a new and wider fuselage for extra space and passenger comfort. It will also be extra efficient, extra environmentally friendly and quiet, as it will feature all the advanced technologies available in the first part of the 21st Century, bringing the A380 experience to a new level.

Singapore Airlines' first A350 XWB will be delivered in 2012 and operated on the airline's medium to long range routes across the Asia-Pacific region. The all-new A350 XWB will offer Singapore Airlines unrivalled operating performance and economics, whilst passengers will enjoy outstanding comfort and amenities in a highly advanced and spacious cabin environment.

Singapore Airlines will also lease 19 A330-300s with deliveries scheduled in 2009 and 2010.

"Singapore Airlines' reputation for outstanding passenger service and consistent profitability rightly places it amongst the leaders of the global air transport industry. This makes it all the more gratifying for Airbus to have been once again selected to meet the airline's demanding criteria for new wide-body aircraft," said Airbus President and CEO, Mr. Christian Streiff.

"The order for more A380s represents an enormous vote of confidence in the programme, whilst the selection of the all new A350 XWB reasserts Airbus' determination to compete vigorously in the twin engine, wide-body market," he added.

Airbus' partnership with Singapore Airlines dates back to 1979, when the airline placed its first order for the company's original wide-body, twin engine aircraft, the A300B4. In 1999, the carrier ordered five A340-500s to meet future ultra long-range requirements and inaugurated non-stop operations between Singapore and Los Angeles in February 2004, taking it into the record books with the longest commercial air service in the world. The airline beat its own record in June 2004 with an even longer no-stop flight of 18 hours 18 minutes on the 9,000 nm/16,600 km route between Singapore and New York (Newark).

Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE Systems.

More...