Airline Believes It Can Influence Design

Dubai-based carrier Emirates says it has a future need for an airliner like Airbus' planned A350 XWB.

Emirates Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations in Europe Keith Longstaff told Dow Jones Newswire "(We are) talking to Airbus about our need for an aircraft like the planned A350."

This comes on the heels of last week's announcement from Airbus that parent EADS had finally approved commercial development of the all-new passenger jet.

The A350 XWB is the latest iteration of Airbus' concept for a medium-capacity, long-range, extra wide-body (hence the XWB designation) passenger liner that started as the A350. Airbus hopes the A350 XWB will better compete with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

Although Emirates says it's in talks with Airbus, it wouldn't comment on the progress of any deal.

The airline's enthusiasm apparently stems from the fact the plane is still in the planning stages giving rise to hopes Emirates might convince Airbus to tweak the design to better meet its needs.

"We are an important customer for Airbus, and we like to think that we can influence the design of a new aircraft," said Longstaff.

Perhaps those hopes aren't too far out in left field as Emirates remains Airbus' largest A380 customer with 43 on order. Even better for Airbus, Emirates has repeatedly and publicly said it has no plans to cancel.

Because of the airline's rapid growth, says Longstaff, "We need it."

The airline wouldn't comment on any A350 price breaks it might negotiate as an A380 customer.

As for Airbus' woes with the A380... Emirates says it's confident there will be no further delays.

FMI: www.emirates.com, www.airbus.com