The A350-900 MSN5, a flight test aircraft, departed from Noi Bai International Airport. — VNS Photo

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, has flown in its all-new A350 XWB jet plane here for the first time as part of a five-city Asian demonstration tour.

Last Saturday, the A350-900 MSN5, a flight test aircraft, departed from Noi Bai International Airport on a demonstration flight. Vietnam Airlines, which teamed up with Airbus in organising the visit, will become one of the world's first airlines to fly the new aircraft in the middle of next year.

Transport Minister Dinh La Thang (Second from left) attends to the Airbus's demonstration flight. — VNS Photo

Previously, Vietnam Airlines ordered 10 A350 XWBs from Airbus and will acquire four more aircraft under lease agreements. Production of the first aircraft is already underway at the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

The national carrier will operate its A350 XWB fleet on long-haul routes, revealed Trinh Ngoc Thanh, Vietnam Airlines deputy general director, at a press conference before the demonstration flight.— VNS