AIRBUS has received approval from its shareholders, EADS and BAE Systems, to begin making firm commercial offers to launch customers for A350 twin, essentially a development of the existing slow selling A330 and a direct competitor to the Boeing 7E7, set for 2008 entry date. Due for airline service in the first half of 2010, the A350 will complement the existing Airbus A330 according to Airbus and will be offered in two versions. The A350-800 will typically seat 245 passengers in a three class configuration and have a range in excess of 8,600 nm / 15,900 km providing ultra long range capability in this ”medium size” seating category. The A350-900 will have a range of more than 7,500 nm / 13,900 km. In effect Airbus are adding two aircraft to the A330 family offering much more range and having the marketing potential associated with a so-called new type. To date 499 A330s have been ordered.
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