Airbus says it has begun final assembly of Cathay Pacific’s first Airbus A350-900 at is Toulouse manufacturing facility.

The airframer issued an image of the aircraft fuselage section joining phase, which includes the attachment of the wings, horizontal and vertical tailplane, as well as tail cone.

Cathay Pacific's first A350 in final assembly

Airbus

Subsequently, the aircraft will undergo structural completion, ground testing and start of cabin installation.

The first of 48 A350s ordered by Cathay, the aircraft will be delivered early next year.

Flightglobal’s Ascend Fleets database shows that Cathay has 22 A350-900s and 26 A350-1000s on order.

Cathay Pacific’s order represents one-fifth of total A350 orders from the Asia Pacific, adds Airbus.

Source: Cirium Dashboard