The first A350 XWB for Qatar Airways is progressing towards delivery before year end, Airbus has announced. The aircraft, equipped with Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, recently rolled out of the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France, bearing Qatar Airways’ livery.

Following the recent EASA Type Certification, the Qatar Airways A350-900 is now entering into its final stage of production. The remaining steps, up to delivery, comprise the cabin completion as well as ground and flight tests, it said.

The A350 XWB is Airbus’ all-new mid-size long range product line and the newest member of Airbus' leading wide-body family.

Qatar Airways is the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar. The airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 125 international destinations across Africa, Central Asia, Europe, Far East, South Asia, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania from its base at Hamad International Airport, using a fleet of more than 100 aircraft.

Qatar Airways has more than 30,000 staff, with 17,000 people employed directly and a further 13,000 in its subsidiaries. The carrier has been a member of Oneworld since October 2013, the first Persian Gulf carrier to sign with one of the three airline alliances.