(Reuters) – Airbus is aiming to deliver the first A350 jetliner around Dec. 12, with customer Qatar Airways being the first recipient, a representative of the airline said on Tuesday.

The A350, Airbus’ newest plane and made with carbon-fiber composite fuselage, is a direct competitor to Boeing’s composite 787 Dreamliner.

The long-range, twin-aisle plane received its certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration last week, after winning European safety approval in September. The version of the jet certified by the FAA and European regulators, the A350-900, is designed to seat 314 passengers.

Airbus has booked 750 orders for the A350, including 549 for the A350-900 and 169 for the larger A350-1000, which is due to enter service in 2017. The smaller A350-800 has 32 orders.

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