Thursday 9 August 2018

Sichuan Airlines' first leased A350XWB arrives in Chengdu on 9 August 2018

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan
                 / KUCINTA SETIA
Distributed to All Press & Travel Professionals




China’s largest all-Airbus fleet airline, Sichuan Airlines, has received its first Airbus A350-900 aircraft leased from AerCap Leasing in Toulouse, France, on 8 August 2018, making it the first airline in mainland China to own and operate this leased wide-body aircraft. It arrives in Chengdu on 9 August 2018. 

Sichuan Airlines' A350-900 aircraft uses the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine and features a total of 331 comfortable two-class cabin seats, including 28 Business Class seats and 303 Economy Class seats. Hence it is also known as an A350XWB aircraft. 



The Airbus A350XWB has the most modern aerodynamic design. The fuselage and wing are made of carbon fiber composite material, powered by the new high-efficiency Trent XWB engine from Rolls-Royce. These advanced technologies make the A350XWB an unparalleled operational efficiency with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, a 25 per cent reduction in emissions and a significant reduction in maintenance costs. The Airbus Flight Space cabin interior provides a better atmosphere, design and service based on the spaciousness and quietness of the aircraft, providing superior comfort and ride experience, setting new standards for the flight experience of all cabin passengers.

Sichuan Airlines launches its A350XWB aircraft on the domestic route from Chengdu to Beijing Capital under flight 3U8885, before deploying it on the Chengdu route to Pudong, other domestic routes and will subsequently operate on its international routes under its "Panda Road" program.



Sichuan Airlines' A350XWB aircraft has the panda-themed livery.  Among the painted giant pandas, one of them is named "Sanyou", name of the real giant panda adopted by Sichuan Airlines in Chengdu. As the image endorsement of the "Panda Road" plan, the giant panda named "Sanyou" and the two-character code "3U" of Sichuan Airlines has a three-layer meaning. "3U" is the IATA code of Sichuan Airlines while "Sanyou" represents Sichuan Airlines' three development goal objectives, these are the pursuance of the excellent level of safety, excellent operational efficiency and excellent service quality.

At the end of July 2018, Sichuan Airlines operates 135 passenger aircraft, including 123 A320 series aircraft and 12 A330 series aircraft.

The cooperation between Sichuan Airlines and Airbus began in 1995 when Sichuan Airlines received the first Airbus A320 aircraft in mainland China. It is the first airline to operate the unique telex control system of the aircraft. 

In 2009, Sichuan Airlines received its first A320 aircraft from the final assembly of the Airbus A320 series aircraft in Tianjin. 

In 2010, Sichuan Airlines introduced its first A330 aircraft on domestic routes and actively expanded its international market. 

In 2016, Sichuan Airlines announced the introduction of four A350-900 aircraft on a lease basis for its international long-haul routes, and in 2018, Sichuan Airlines signed an agreement to order 10 A350-900 aircraft from Airbus.



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