New Taiwanese operator Starlux Airlines has firmed the agreement for 17 Airbus A350s previously unveiled during last year’s Farnborough air show.

Starlux is taking 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s. All the twinjets are exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

The carrier plans to deploy these aircraft on its long-haul services from Taipei to Europe and North America, as well as certain destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, says the airframer.

Starlux founder KW Chang says the range, low operating costs and passenger comfort were “key factors” in the airline’s decision to select the A350.

“We are positive that with the [A350], we will be able to spread our wings to further destinations, bringing our best-in-class services to more people over the world in the near future,” he adds.

Starlux’s agreement will provide a lift to Airbus order figures for the year so far, which have suffered from the cancellation of over 40 A350s intended for Etihad Airways as well as the fallout from the decision to close the A380 programme.

Source: Cirium Dashboard