Another Airbus A350-900 has been delivered to Singapore Airlines. The aircraft arrived in Singapore on Saturday, April 9th, and is the 59th Airbus A350 for the Star Alliance airline. The airline surpassed Qatar Airways to become the world’s largest operator of the A350 in 2021. Let’s take a look at the most recent delivery and what Singapore Airlines might expect in the months ahead.
Aircraft details
According to AIB Family Flights, Singapore Airlines’ 59th A350-900 is registered 9V-SHY. This particular aircraft was first spotted in Toulouse on December 15th, 2021, with test registration F-WZFV. At the time, the aircraft had been spotted in primer, without its engines installed. However, in late January, the aircraft had been spotted with engines.
The month of March was significant for the brand new plane because it received its first taxi inspection and failed take-off test. The aircraft’s first three test flights, each lasting one to three hours, are scheduled for the balance of the month. The jet’s fourth and fifth test flights, which were also designated customer acceptance flights, were scheduled for April 5th and 6th.
Officially marked as ‘delivered’ on April 7th, the aircraft would take off on its 6th flight- this time destined for its new home at Singapore Changi Airport. The aircraft took off from Toulouse on the evening of Friday, April 8th, for the long journey to Singapore as flight SQ8895
Now the world’s largest A350 fleet
Overtaking Qatar Airways for the largest A350 fleet, Singapore Airlines has been accepting brand new A350s steadily over the past few years, with five new A350s in 2021 (including three on the same day). The same cannot be said for Qatar Airways.
Indeed, the Middle Eastern carrier may very well have maintained its top spot as the largest A350 operator if it weren’t for its ugly dispute over surface degradation with Airbus. One main outcome of this ongoing dispute is that Qatar Airways has refused to take delivery of new A350s. Additionally, Airbus has canceled a handful of ordered A350s. It began with two and has escalated to a 3rd in the past week.
Now that Qatar Airways and Airbus are at odds, Singapore Airlines is almost certain to keep the top rank with the largest fleet of Airbus A350s. Three more A350 passenger planes are expected to be delivered this year, with the final three arriving in 2023. However, a new version of the Airbus A350 will be added to the fleet in the future.
Singapore Airlines and the A350F
While Singapore Airlines’ A350 passenger aircraft orders will be completed, the carrier will eventually take A350 freighters to complement its cargo operations.
Singapore Airlines signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Airbus for seven A350F freighter aircraft on December 15th, 2021. The A350F will begin replacing the airline’s existing 747-400 freighter fleet in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to an Airbus announcement. This order was firmed up in February of 2022.
