Airbus settling on wider fuselage, composite wing as it nears A350 revamp decision

Stung by vocal criticism of its A350 offering from ILFC, Emirates and Singapore Airlines, Airbus is close to announcing a radical revamp of the aircraft, according to insiders in Toulouse.

CEO Gustav Humbert told reporters two weeks ago that the airframer would make some sort of decision by summer (ATWOnline, April 26).

Airbus is striving to match Boeing's 787 and 777 while addressing Emirates' disappointment in the A340-600IGW's performance (ATWOnline, March 13). Key to the new variant is a wider Al-Li fuselage, up to 14 in. wider than the current A350, to accommodate a true nine-abreast configuration. The redesign comes after Emirates shipped a row of its triple seats to Toulouse where they did not fit into the A350 mockup. Boeing is offering the 787 in both eight- and nine-abreast arrangements.

The revised A350 also will feature a larger, all-new composite wing but not a composite fuselage. There will be three models. The first two will be similar to the existing A350-800 and dash 900. The third will be dubbed the dash 1000 and will seat up to 350, putting it head-to-head with the 777-300ER.

The revamped design's entry into service now is supposed to slip into the second half of 2012, but insiders at Emirates told ATWOnline they are skeptical of that date. There is some possibility that Airbus may stick with the current A350-800 design so as to meet orders on hand, but the majority view in Toulouse is to scrap it.

There also is some thought that the A350-1000, which requires a 100,000-lb.-thrust engine, could be a quadjet if a suitable engine isn't available. Production of the new model apparently is slated for Hamburg rather than Toulouse.

Analysts suggest that while the revised A350 will be more competitive, the reluctance to tackle a composite fuselage leaves Airbus exposed.

Singapore Airlines was expected to announce a comprehensive fleet buy at its May 9 board meeting but may well delay the expected order for 787s until Airbus has a chance to firm up its business plan. SIA is expected to order 777-200LRs to replace its A340-500s and also may order 747-8Fs.