Singapore Airlines has signed a contract for the purchase of 20 A350-900 XWBs to meet its requirements on medium to long-range routes across the Asia-Pacific region from 2013 onwards. This order, which firms up the Letter of Intent placed in July 2006, represents another major commitment to the expansion of the airline’s Airbus fleet, which is already destined to include 19 A380s and 19 A330s.

“We are very proud to have Singapore Airlines as a very early customer for the all new A350 XWB, particularly since it follows the announcement for nine additional A380 orders and 19 A330 leases. As one of the undisputed leaders of the global air transport industry, Singapore Airlines sets the most demanding standards to ensure that its aircraft combine outstanding passenger appeal, unbeatable efficiency and exceptional environmental friendliness. This makes it all the more gratifying for the A350 XWB to have been selected to meet the airline`s requirement for future fleet growth and global network expansion,” said Louis Gallois, President and CEO, Airbus.

The A350 XWB will be available in three basic passenger versions, the A350-800 which can fly 270 passengers in a spacious three-class configuration up to 8,500 nm / 15,750 km, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 which is designed for 350, both with ranges of up to 8,300nm / 15,400 km. The exact seating configuration for Singapore Airlines’ A350-900 XWBs will be announced by the airline at a later date.