Middle Eastern carrier Etihad Airways is in talks to cut its A350 order by 42 aircraft, leaving the airline with 20 A350-1000s in the backlog.

Airbus has disclosed that it has held "commercial discussions" with Etihad, to "reduce" its order, in its full-year financial results.

Etihad had 40 A350-900s and 22 A350-1000s on order at the end of January, so the cuts amount to the entire -900 order plus two -1000s.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad’s blow to the airframer follows neighbouring Emirates’ decision to slash its A380 orders, forcing a closure of the double-deck aircraft programme.

Airbus says it will “continue to improve the A350 programme’s performance” in order to reach break-even this year, and improve margins beyond this date.

Source: Cirium Dashboard