Airbus is to roll out its fourth A350 test-flight aircraft in a special hybrid livery based on the colour scheme of launch customer Qatar Airways.

The rear of the aircraft, MSN4, will carry Qatar Airways branding, including the Doha-based airline’s oryx logo on the vertical fin.

A source familiar with the plan states that the manufacturer’s A350 product scheme will be on the forward fuselage.

“It’s not the first time we’ve done this,” the source adds, pointing out that an A310 test aircraft was painted in the livery of Lufthansa and Swissair.

Qatar Airways is to take delivery of its first A350-900 before the end of this year.

Airbus has been expecting to fly MSN4 around February. The aircraft will be used for tests including noise analysis.

Source: Cirium Dashboard