12 April, 2019: Airbus A350 XWB has received Type Certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism (MLITT), allowing the A350 XWB first customer from the country Japan Airlines to operate the aircraft. The type certification also covers the aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Stephane Ginoux, Airbus Japan President said, "Receiving the A350 XWB Type Certification from Japan's authority is a great achievement. We are very pleased that Japan Airlines will join soon other world class carriers flying the world's most modern widebody aircraft".
In 2013, Japan Airlines (JAL) placed an order for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s). It was JAL's first ever order for Airbus aircraft.
The airlines' first A350-900 will be delivered in the middle of the year. JAL's A350 XWB fleet will be used for major domestic routes starting with its Haneda - Fukuoka route from September, replacing older-generation widebody types.