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Qantas’ Project Sunrise has suffered another setback, with supply chain issues delaying the delivery of its first A350-1000ULR until next year.
The ultra-long-range aircraft, the first of which has recently had its engines fitted while the second is on the final assembly line as of February, were slated to begin arriving from later this year but are now expected in early 2027.
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“The first A350-1000ULR will now join the Qantas fleet in April 2027 (with further deliveries to follow in quick succession). The adjustment to the schedule is largely due to the impact of supply chain issues,” an Airbus spokesperson told The Australian Financial Review.
The A350-1000ULRs’ first flights will likely be to New Zealand for training purposes, with Qantas not yet revealing whether London or New York will see the initial ultra-long-haul non-stop flights.
According to Qantas, the first plane is in the paint shop in Toulouse, with livery being applied, and initial flight testing is “just weeks away”.
“Pilot training is well underway at our new A350 simulator in Sydney, and next month we’ll announce the first route and timing of our inaugural commercial services,” a spokesperson said.
“Qantas ordered 12 A350-1000ULRs in May 2022, which will operate the first non-stop services from the East Coast of Australia to New York and London. When these services take off, passengers will save up to four hours off the journey. Three aircraft are needed to run a daily non-stop service on either route.
“While the first aircraft delivery has shifted to April 2027, the next four will follow in quick succession, putting us back on our original schedule by November.
“We continue to work closely with Airbus on the delivery and certification process that will enable us to begin operating these history-making ultra long-haul flights.”
The flight testing program will check systems, performance and certification, including the extra 20,000-litre rear centre fuel tank that will enable the non-stop 22-hour flights. Final preparations will be needed in Australia before services begin, including training flights and regulatory approvals.
The A350-1000ULR forms part of Qantas’ massive fleet renewal program, which is seeing the carrier transition from a mostly-Boeing airline to a largely Airbus one.
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