Airbus has landed its first major orders of this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, led by a high-profile deal with Virgin Atlantic Airways for 12 of its A350-1000 long-range jetliners.
The largest member of the A350range – Airbus’s newest aircraft family – the A350-1000 will be operated by Virgin on the trans-Atlantic business routes from London Heathrow in a 360-seat configuration. 
The planes will also later be deployed from Gatwick on leisure routes to the Caribbean, where the airline will provide three classes of customer service with 410 passengers.
Virgin is buying eight A350-1000s for deliveries starting in 2019, and four on long-term leases from ALC from 2020, including a lease option for a fifth aircraft.
The annual Farnborough Airshow, which alternates yearly with its sister event in Paris, is the main global showcase for the global aerospace sector.
Airbus, which employs around 4,000 people at its main wing design base at Filton, traditionally competes with its US rival Boeing in the large (100-plus seats) market.
Virgin said it had chosen the A350-1000 after “intense and detailed evaluation of the current and future alternatives”.
Prime Minister David Cameron, who was visiting Farnborough yesterday, said: “I welcome the news of Virgin Atlantic’s investment. As well as being good news for passengers, it’s great news for jobs in the UK.
“The fantastic Airbus A350 is built in the UK, with Rolls-Royce engines and suppliers across the country. It’s an investment in the UK itself, and our world-beating aerospace industry.”
CEO Virgin Atlantic Craig Kreeger, added: “The size of this order demonstrates our absolute focus on investing in the future for our customers and our people, and confirms the strength of our business.
“The A350-1000 plays a pivotal role in our fleet programme, helping to create one of the youngest, cleanest, greenest fleets in the sky. We’re looking forward to introducing this aircraft to our customers, as its impressive economics, fuel performance, and quiet flying offer an irresistible proposition that makes long haul travel more enjoyable and better for the environment.”
Vietnam’s Jetstar Pacific Airlines also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for 10 A320ceo aircraft. The agreement will mark the first direct purchase of aircraft by the airline with Airbus.
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Jetstar Pacific is a joint venture between Vietnam Airlines (70%) and the Qantas Group (30%). The airline currently operates a fleet of 12 leased A320 Family aircraft, flying to 28 domestic and regional destinations.
There could be further good news for Airbus today with Malaysian discount giant AirAsia poised to order as many as 100 Airbus A321neos while Go Airlines of India is said to be considering buying 70 smaller A320neos.
