After several delays, Airbus has finally delivered the first of 65 A350-900 jets to Emirates Airlines.
The delivery ceremony took place on Monday in Toulouse, France, the aircraftmaker’s headquarters.
The aircraft, registered A6-EXA, was due to take off on November 25 for Dubai, where it was scheduled to arrive at 4pm (local time).
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The transfer flight will be operated with a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the carrier said.
The official unveiling of the A350 in the UAE is scheduled for later this week after the aircraft undergoes final touches at Emirates Engineering.
First flight in January
The first A350-900 was due to arrive in August and begin revenue flights in September, but ongoing supply chain issues forced Airbus to delay delivery.
Emirates Airlines now plans to debut the widebody on a flight to Edinburgh in January.
The aircraft is the first of the Middle Eastern carrier’s new generation, which currently flies only the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. It will also add 787 Dreamliners and 777X jets in the future.
