Airlines

Emirates’ first Airbus A350 completes first flight

Dubai-based carrier's newest widebody aircraft undergoes crucial tests before delivery

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The first Emirates Airbus A350 completes its maiden test flight prior to delivery to the Gulf carrier. (Photo: @Frenchpainter via X)

Emirates first Airbus A350-900 has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the Dubai-based carrier’s fleet expansion plans.

The aircraft, currently registered as F-WZGA, took to the skies from Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS) for a test flight lasting 3 hours and 55 minutes, according to data from FlightRadar24.com.

The A350’s inaugural flight comes after months of anticipation and follows a series of ground tests, including a crucial rejected takeoff (RTO) procedure.

Footage captured by aircraft enthusiast Eurospot (@cliper31) showed the aircraft performing the RTO test, with smoke visible from the wheels as the test pilot applied maximum braking force, according to the tweet.

An RTO test is a critical safety check that ensures an aircraft can come to a complete stop using only its brakes in the event of an emergency during takeoff.

This test simulates a worst-case scenario where engine reverse thrust is unavailable.

Emirates has 65 Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order, with the first 50 announced at the 2019 Dubai Airshow and an additional 15 added to the order in 2023.

The airline expects to receive five of the type by the end of the year, with the first aircraft scheduled to enter service in October 2024.

The introduction of the A350 marks a new era of fleet diversification for Emirates, which has primarily operated Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s in recent years.

The airline has already revealed initial destinations for the new aircraft, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat, and several cities in India and Europe.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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