Airbus launches A350 aircraft

Airbus launches A350 aircraft    Airbus Thursday held an industrial launch for the A350 aircraft, its mid-size long-haul competitor to Boeing’s new 7E7 Dreamliner.
   The A350 planes are scheduled to enter service in 2010, with the A350-800 capable of flying 16,300 kilometers. Its larger sister, the A350-900, is able to fly 13,900 kilometers.
   Airbus said the market for aircraft in the A350’s size category is estimated at 3,300, including freighters, over the next 20 years. Airbus expects to command about half of that market.
   Airbus has so far received 140 firm orders for the A350 aircraft from nine airlines, including 60 from Qatar Airways, 20 from US Airways and 10 from Air Europa.