Airbus A350 test aircraft MSN5 will visit Perth, Sydney and Auckland as part of the aircraft’s route proving program, the final phase of the aircraft’s type certification testing.
MSN5, which is configured with a 265-seat passenger interior (42 business class and 223 economy class seats), will be operated by Airbus flightcrews and will conduct four separate trips over three weeks. The third of these flights will see the A350 fly into Sydney from Johannesburg before continuing to Auckland, while fourth flight will see the A350 fly into Perth from Qatar.
“These route proving tests are designed to demonstrate readiness for airline operations and will include high airfield performance, auto-landing trials, and airport turnaround and handling services,” Airbus said in a statement.
The A350 is scheduled to land in Sydney at about 6.00am on August 5, and continue on to Auckland that afternoon. Airbus says certification is on track for the third quarter of this year with first delivery to launch customer Qatar Airways due by year’s end.
Airbus says the five development A350s have to date flown over 540 flights and 2,250 flight hours.
