IBERIA VOLVERÁ A CONTRATAR NUEVOS PILOTOS

ENLACE A LA INFORMACIÓN: Flynews

MADRID, ESPAÑA - Iberia (IATA: IB, OACI: IBE, y callsign: Iberia BME: IBLA), es una aerolínea española, fundada en 1927 con el nombre de Iberia, Compañía Aérea de Transporte. Su denominación social actual es Iberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S. A. Operadora Unipersonal.5Actualmente es una de las compañías aéreas más antiguas del mundo. Tiene su sede social en Madrid8 y cotizó en la Bolsa de Madrid desde abril de 2001 hasta enero de 2011, cuando fue sustituida por su matriz International Airlines Group, producto de la fusión con British Airways en 2011, actual accionista único de la compañía. La compañía tiene actualmente su domicilio social en la Calle Martínez Villergas, 49, 28027 Madrid.

Su principal base es el Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas. El Grupo Iberia vuela a 108 destinos en 42 países. El 12 de noviembre de 2009, Iberia confirmó que había llegado a un acuerdo preliminar de entendimiento con British Airways para fusionarse con ella con la firma de un acuerdo vinculante, que solo se dio paso cuando el valor de las acciones de British superaron a las de Iberia, siendo en abril de 2010 la firma del contrato de fusión. En julio de 2010 la Comisión Europea aprobó la operación. Para su culminación, en noviembre de 2010, los accionistas de Iberia y British Airways dan el visto bueno a la fusión de las dos compañías, último requisito necesario para llevar a cabo la fusión de uno de los grupos más potentes del sector.

La nueva sociedad holding resultante, llamada International Airlines Group (IAG), es la tercera aerolínea del mundo por ingresos (después de Delta Air Lines y American Airlines). Actualmente Iberia posee dos filiales (Iberia Express y Vueling Airlines) y una compañía franquiciada (Air Nostrum).

DASSAULT A PRESENTÉ SON NOUVELLE FALCON 5X

LINK À L'INFORMATION: Les Echos

BURDEAUX, FRANCE - Le Falcon 5X est un avion d'affaires de la famille Falcon construit par la société Dassault Aviation. Il est présenté le 21 octobre 2013 à Las Vegas à l’occasion de la convention annuelle de la National Business Aviation Association

C'est un biréacteur (Silvercrest, Safran Snecma) destiné à franchir une distance de 9 630 km et voler à une vitesse maximale de Mach 0,90.

Proposé à un prix d’environ 45 millions de dollars US (valeur de 2013), le Falcon 5X devrait effectuer son premier vol à l'été 2015 et obtenir sa certification avant la fin de l’année suivante pour une entrée en service en 2017.

BOEING STARTS TO BUILDING THE FIRST 737 MAX JET ON SCHEDULE

LINK TO THE INFORMATON: Reuters

SEATTLE, UNITED STATES - The Boeing 737 MAX is a family of aircraft being developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The new family is based on the Boeing 737 Next Generation family, which it is to replace. It will be the fourth generation of the 737 family. The primary change is the use of the larger and more efficient CFM International LEAP-1B engines. The airframe is to receive some modifications as well. The 737 MAX is scheduled for first delivery in 2017, 50 years after the 737 first flew. Boeing has firm orders for the 737 MAX totaling 2,715 as of March 2015.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES ARE TECHNICALLY BUNKRUPT, CEO SAYS

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Reuters

SUBANG, MALAYSIA - Malaysian Airline System (MAS; Malay: Sistem Penerbangan Malaysia; branded as Malaysia Airlines; (Malay: Penerbangan Malaysia MYX: 3786 as Malaysian Airline System Berhad) is a major airline operating flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and from secondary hubs in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to destinations throughout Asia as well as a handful of destinations in Europe and Oceania. Malaysia Airlines is the flag carrier of Malaysia and a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. The company's headquarters are located on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor, Greater Kuala Lumpur. In August 2014, the Malaysian government's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional—which then owned 69.37% of the airline—announced its intention to purchase remaining ownership from minority shareholders and de-list the airline from Malaysia's stock exchange, thereby renationalising the airline.

Malaysia Airlines owns two subsidiary airlines: Firefly and MASwings. Firefly operates scheduled flights from its two home bases Penang International Airport and Subang International Airport. The airline focuses on tertiary cities. MASwings focuses on inter-Borneo flights. Malaysia Airlines has a freighter fleet operated by MASkargo, which manages freighter flights and aircraft cargo-hold capacity for all Malaysia Airlines' passenger flights. Malaysia Airlines also provides aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and aircraft handling services to other companies.

The airline began as Malayan Airways Limited and flew its first commercial flight in 1947. A few years after Singapore's independence, the airline's assets were divided in 1972 to form Singaporean flag carrier Singapore Airlines and Malaysian flag carrier Malaysian Airline System. Its logo is the wau bulan, a traditional Malaysian kite design.

Despite numerous awards from aviation industry, such as the five-star rating from Skytrax (2005-7, 2009, 2012–13; one of just seven airlines in the world with this rating in 2013) and recognition from the World Travel Awards as the leading airline in and to Asia (2010–11, 2013), the airline struggled to cut costs to compete with new, low-cost carriers in the region since the early 2000s. In 2013, the airline initiated a turnaround plan after large losses beginning in 2011 and cut routes to prominent, but unprofitable, long-haul destinations, such as the Americas (Los Angeles and Buenos Aires) and South Africa. Malaysia Airlines also began an internal restructuring and intended to sell units such as engineering and pilot training.

In 2014, on March 8 and on July 17, Malaysia Airlines lost two aircraft—Flight 370 and Flight 17—less than five months apart with a combined 537 people killed, exacerbating the airline's financial troubles and leading to the renationalisation of the airline. Prior to 2014, MAS had one of the world's best safety records—just two fatal accidents in 68 years of operation, including the hijacking in 1977 of Flight 653 that resulted in 100 casualties.

TARANIS UCAV SET FOR THE NEW FLIGHT TESTS

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: DefenseNews

UNITED KINGDOM - The BAE Systems Taranis (also nicknamed Raptor) is a British demonstrator programme for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology, under development primarily by the defence contractor BAE Systems Military Air & Information. The aircraft, which is named after the Celtic god of thunder Taranis, first flew in 2013. A semi-autonomous unmanned warplane, the Taranis is designed to fly intercontinental missions, and will carry a variety of weapons, enabling it to attack both aerial and ground targets. It will utilise stealth technology, giving it a low radar profile, and it will be controllable via satellite link from anywhere on Earth. An operational derivative of the Taranis is expected to enter military service some time after 2030.

KC-46A TEST AIRCRAFT RESUMES FLIGHTS

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: IHS Jane's 360

UNITED STATES - The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is a military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. In February 2011, the tanker was selected by the United States Air Force (USAF) as the winner in the KC-X tanker competition to replace older KC-135 Stratotankers. The first 18 combat-ready aircraft are to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force by August 2017 under the terms of the development contract.

MEXICAN AIR FORCE SELECTS BOEING 737-800 TRANSPORTS

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: IHS Jane's 360

MEXICO - The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700, and replaces the 737-400. It also filled the gap left by the decision to discontinue the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 and MD-90 following Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas. The −800 was launched by Hapag-Lloyd Flug (now TUIfly) in 1994 and entered service in 1998. The 737-800 seats 162 passengers in a two-class layout, or 189 in one class, and competes with the A320. For many airlines in the U.S., the 737-800 replaced aging Boeing 727-200 trijets.

The 737-800 is also among the models replacing the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft in airline service; it burns 850 US gallons (3,200 L) of jet fuel per hour, or about 80 percent of the fuel needed by an MD-80 on a comparable flight, even while carrying more passengers than the latter. According to the Airline Monitor, an industry publication, a 737-800 burns 4.88 US gallons (18.5 L) of fuel per seat per hour. Alaska Airlines replaced the MD-80 with the 737-800, saving $2,000 per flight, using jet fuel prices of $4 per gallon (2008 prices).

On August 14, 2008, American Airlines announced 26 orders for the 737-800 (20 are exercised options from previously signed contracts and six are new incremental orders) as well as accelerated deliveries. A total of 2,135 -800, and 16 -800 BBJ aircraft have been delivered with 1,521 unfilled orders as of January 2011. Ryanair, an Irish low-cost airline is among the largest operators of the Boeing 737-800, with a fleet of over 300 aircraft serving routes across Europe and North Africa.

HMS OCEAN CONDUCTS FIRST-TIME OPERATIONS OF 'WILDCAT' HELICOPTER

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Naval-technology.com

ON BOARD HMS OCEAN - The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter designed to serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles. In British service, common variants are being operated by both the Royal Navy and British Army to replace their old Lynx rotorcraft. The AW159 has also been offered to several export customers, including the Republic of Korea Navy which placed an order for 8 in 2013.

F-35 WILL TAKE PART IN MAJOR MILITARY EXERCISE FOR THE FIRST TIME

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Reuters

UNITED STATES - The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters undergoing testing and final development by the United States. The fifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three main models: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, which was the winning design of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled to be completed in 2037.

F-35 JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey are part of the active development program; several additional countries have ordered, or are considering ordering, the F-35.

JAPAN COULD BUY 4 E-2D HAWKEYE

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Defense Security Cooperation Agency

JAPAN - The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the earlier, radial piston-engined E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. The aircraft's performance has been upgraded with the E-2B, and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed specifically for its role, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft.

The E-2 also received the nickname "Super Fudd" because it replaced the E-1 Tracer "Willy Fudd". In recent decades, the E-2 has been commonly referred to as the "Hummer" because of the distinctive sounds of its turboprop engines, quite unlike that of turbojet and turbofan jet engines. In addition to U.S. Navy service, smaller numbers of E-2s have been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan.

UAE REQUIRES 1000 GBU-31 AND 600 GBU-12

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of 500 GBU-31B/B(V)1 (MK-84/BLU-117) bombs, 500 GBU-31B/B(V)3 (BLU-109) bombs, and 600 GBU-12 (MK-82/BLU-111) bombs, containers, fuzes, spare and repair parts. The estimated cost is $130 million. The principal contractors will be Boeing and Raytheon.

The GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb is an American aerial bomb, based on the Mk 82 500-pound general-purpose bomb, but with the addition of a nose-mounted laser seeker and fins for guidance. A member of the Paveway series of weapons, Paveway II entered into service c. 1976. It is currently in service with U.S. Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, Royal Canadian Air Force, Colombian Air Force, Swedish Air Force, and various NATO air forces.

RMAF TO RATAIN MiG-29 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: New Straits Times

MALAYSIA - The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum") is a twin-engine supermaneuverable jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983.

While originally oriented towards combat against any enemy aircraft, many MiG-29s have been furnished as multirole fighters capable of performing a number of different operations, and are commonly outfitted to use a range of air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions. The MiG-29 has been manufactured in several major variants, including the multirole Mikoyan MiG-29M and the navalised Mikoyan MiG-29K; the most advanced member of the family to date is the Mikoyan MiG-35. Later models frequently feature improved engines, glass cockpits with HOTAS-compatible flight controls, modern radar and IRST sensors, considerably increased fuel capacity; some aircraft have also been equipped for aerial refuelling.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the militaries of a number of former Soviet republics have continued to operate the MiG-29, the largest of which is the Russian Air Force. The Russian Air Force wanted to upgrade its existing fleet to the modernised MiG-29SMT configuration, but financial difficulties have limited deliveries. The MiG-29 has also been a popular export aircraft; more than 30 nations either operate or have operated the aircraft to date, India being one of the largest export operators of the type. As of 2013, the MiG-29 is in production by Mikoyan, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) since 2006.

The Royal Malaysian Air force has 12 MiG-29 in inventory at this moment.

USAF'S A-10 THUNDERBOLT II LIKELY TO KEEP FLYING

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: The Hill

UNITED STATES - The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American twin-engine, straight wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. It is the only United States Air Force production aircraft designed solely for close air support, including attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets with limited air defenses.

The A-10 was designed around the 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger rotary cannon that is its primary armament. The A-10's airframe was designed for durability, with measures such as 1,200 pounds (540 kg) of titanium armor to protect the cockpit and aircraft systems, enabling it to absorb a significant amount of damage and continue flying. The A-10A single-seat variant was the only version built, though one A-10A was converted to an A-10B twin-seat version. In 2005, a program was begun to upgrade remaining A-10A aircraft to the A-10C configuration.

The A-10's official name comes from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt of World War II, a fighter that was particularly effective at close air support. The A-10 is more commonly known by its nicknames "Warthog" or "Hog". Its secondary mission is to provide airborne forward air control, directing other aircraft in attacks on ground targets. Aircraft used primarily in this role are designated OA-10. With a variety of upgrades and wing replacements, the A-10's service life may be extended to 2028, though there are proposals to retire it sooner.

QF-4 TARGETING DRONE TAKES ITS LAST FLIGHT

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: AirForceTimes




FLORIDA, USA - McDonell Douglas QRF-4C, QF-4B, E, G, N and S was retired aircraft converted into remote-controlled target drones used for weapons and defensive systems research by USAF and USN.

MARINE CORPS F-35Bs DEPART OF USS WASP AFTER CARRIER'S TESTS

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Flightglobal

ON BOARD USS WASP - The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters undergoing testing and final development by the United States. The fifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three main models: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, which was the winning design of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled to be completed in 2037.

F-35 JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey are part of the active development program; several additional countries have ordered, or are considering ordering, the F-35.

ITALIAN BUDGETS PROTECTS THE BUY OF THE JSF

The first italian F-35, fresh out of factory

ROME, ITALY - Italy seems set to push ahead with its order of 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and has said it will buy 38 by 2020, despite the pressure from politicians to trim the program.

In its definitive budget plan for 2015, published in May, the Italian Ministry of Defense said it would spend €582.7 million (US $634.3 million) to maintain JSF's purchases this year. So far, Italy has ordered eight F-35As, including three from low rate initial production (LRIP) lot 6 for delivery this year and next year, three from LRIP 7 for delivery next year, and two from LRIP 8 for delivery in 2017. In March, the first JSF rolled off the assembly line built at Cameri, in northern Italy, making it the first JSF assembled outside the US.

Italy's stated ambition to order 38 aircraft by 2020 has criticisms by part of the Prime Minister, who said the JSF program would be "revised" after he took office last year.

SOURCE: DefenseNews

RUSSIAN ATTACK AIRCRAFTS INTERCEPT AN AMERICAN DESTROYER IN THE BLACK SEA

Russian Sukhoi Su-24 'Fencer'

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: AlJazeera

SEBASTOPOL, RUSSIA - The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name: Fencer) is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft/interdictor developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined side-by-side two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system.[1] It remains in service with former Soviet air forces and various air forces to which it was exported.

USS Ross (DDG-71) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship of that name, and the first named in honor of Captain Donald K. Ross (1910–1992), who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Ross's keel was laid on 10 April 1995 by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi and her christening was held a year later, sponsored by Helen Ross, widow of Capt. Ross. Her plankowning crew moved aboard in April 1997 and sailed her to Galveston, Texas for the commissioning on 28 June 1997.

She is currently part of Carrier Strike Group Two.

USS Ross, which homeport is Rota Naval Base, in Spain

THE PENTAGON CONSIDERS A THREE YEARS BLOCK BUY OF F-35 FOR FISCAL 2018

Lockhhed Martin F-35 Lightning II

LINK TO THE INFORMATION: Reuters

WASHINGTON DC, USA - The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters undergoing testing and final development by the United States. The fifth generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three main models: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) variant.

The F-35 is descended from the X-35, which was the winning design of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin. Other major F-35 industry partners include Northrop Grumman, Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems. The F-35 took its first flight on 15 December 2006. The United States plans to buy 2,457 aircraft. The F-35 variants are intended to provide the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps over the coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled to be completed in 2037.

F-35 JSF development is being principally funded by the United States with additional funding from partners. The partner nations are either NATO members or close U.S. allies. The United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Turkey are part of the active development program; several additional countries have ordered, or are considering ordering, the F-35.

THAILAND INTERESTED IN JAPANESE US-2 AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT

Japanese ShinMaywa US-2

THAILAND - The Defense Minister (and Prime Minister) of the Kingdom of Thailand in exclusive interview with the japanese agency Kyodo News said that Royal Thai Air Force had expressed interest in the ShinMaywa US-2 seaplane. At the moment, the aircraft operates only with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, which aims to export it to other countries. That is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue (SAR) work. The US-2 is scheduled to replace the older ShinMaywa US-1.

He emphasized that '' it is necessary to comprehensively determine price and convenience''. If the conditions are agreeable, he suggested to start a specific study toward the purchase. Other countries like India and Indonesia also have shown their interest in buying US-2 aircraft. The Minister did not mention the role, but could be assumed that is a non-military plane, such as for extinguishing of forest fires.

SOURCE: Defense Studies

VISITA DEL NUEVO A350 A MADRID

Un Airbus A350 de la serie 900.

Iberia recibió ayer en sus hangares de mantenimiento de La Muñoza, en Madrid, la visita de un Airbus A350, el mismo modelo con los que la aerolínea va a renovar su flota de largo radio.

A su llegada a Madrid, este Airbus A350 ha sido atendido por Iberia Airport Services. La división de handling de Iberia cuenta con los equipos –escaleras, push back, plataformas, APU, etc- para prestar servicios de pasajeros, rampa y carga a los aviones de este modelo que en un futuro reciba Iberia y el resto de sus aerolíneas-clientes.

En agosto de 2014, IAG (compañía fruto de la unión de Iberia y British Airways) anunció el pedido para Iberia de 16 nuevos aviones de largo radio, ocho Airbus A330/200 y ocho Airbus A350, que se incorporarán desde finales de este año y hasta 2020.

A su vez, en los dos últimos años Iberia ha recibido otros ocho A330/300 y renovado los interiores de los A340/600 para equiparlos con el nuevo producto de largo radio, uno de los mejores del mercado.

11% fabricado en España

Iberia ha apostado en su renovación de flota por un modelo de avión fabricado en más de un diez por ciento por la industria española que, entre otros, aporta a este proyecto su fortaleza como país de referencia en la utilización de la fibra de carbono en la industria aeronáutica. Airbus en España es responsable de la fabricación del estabilizador horizontal, cono de cola o sección 19, revestimiento inferior del ala o wing lower cover. Entre otros, cuenta con la colaboración de sus principales Tier 1, como Alestis que fabrica la carena ventral o belly fayring del avión además de la última sección del fuselaje trasero o sección 19.1 y Socata que es responsable de las trampas del tren principal de aterrizaje o main landing gear doors.

Aviones más eficientes y más cómodos

Los Airbus A350 XWB que Iberia incorporará a su flota son aviones bimotores muy eficientes que, según datos del propio fabricante, consumen hasta un 25% menos de combustible, emiten también un 25% menos de CO2-, y tienen menores costes de mantenimiento que otros modelos similares. De modo que además de más económicos son más respetuosos con el medio ambiente.

Para Iberia, este avión tiene la ventaja adicional de que permite la comunalidad con sus pilotos de la flota A330, lo que reduce también los costes en formación de tripulaciones hasta un 65%, y confiere gran flexibilidad en la operación diaria.

Los Airbus A350, principales competidores del Boeing 787, tienen un alcance de 15.580 kilómetros y, además, han sido certificados para realizar rutas ETOPS- como las que Iberia ya realiza con sus Airbus A330- pero aún más largas. Esto permite a los Airbus A350 desviarse hasta 2.500 millas náuticas durante 370 minutos y, por tanto, operar en cualquiera de las rutas que Iberia ofrece en la actualidad.