FIA 2014: officially opened by British PM
Above: UK Prime Minister the Right Honourable David Cameron, alongside the Chief Executive of Airbus Group Tom Enders with His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, standing next to the Airbus A350.
The Prime Minister was joined by the Chief Executive of Airbus Group, Tom Enders and Qatar Airways CEO, HE Akbar Al Baker at the official opening and spent some time in the cockpit and interior of the Airbus A350, for which Qatar Airways is the global launch customer.
The aircraft is a key part of the flying display at this year’s show and is being displayed in Qatar Airways’ livery.
The flying display will celebrate 100 years of aviation, and will feature aircraft from every decade of the last century.
Qatar Airways will have an Airbus A350, an A320 and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on display at Farnborough, with the latter two being on static display.
Commenting on the show, Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways is pleased to be at the heart of this year’s Farnborough Air Show. We have three of the finest aircraft in the world on display, demonstrating our dynamic growth and focus on world-class quality, and are confident this week will be a successful showcase for Qatar Airways.”
Now in its advanced flight test programme phase, the A350 XWB aircraft are scheduled to enter commercial service in the fourth quarter of 2014. Qatar Airways has ordered 80 aircraft to date, leaning towards the larger A350-900 and A350-1000 models, which better suit its business model and passenger requirements.
