Airbus’ flight test department is moving at full-speed with all five A350-900 developmental aircraft now flying – a fleet that has accumulated more than 2,100 total hours in over 500 flights. Among the key recent achievements of the programme are crosswind tests with MSN001 in Keflavik, Iceland; MSN003’s hot-weather test campaign in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; the first flight of MSN005 and two Early Long Flights (ELFs) performed by MSN002. Remaining certification tests include route-proving and “maximum energy” rejected takeoff evaluations, which will help pave the way for the A350 XWB’s planned certification in the third quarter of 2014 and the subsequent delivery of the first customer aircraft to Qatar Airways before year-end.

Airbus press release