Starlux showcases Taiwan's 1st Airbus A350-1000 at Singapore Airshow

Taipei, Feb. 3 (CNA) Starlux Airlines, the newest Taiwanese international carrier, showcased Taiwan's first Airbus A350-1000 at the Singapore Airshow, which opened Tuesday, ahead of the aircraft's entry into commercial service next week.

According to Starlux, it is the second time the carrier has attended the Singapore Airshow, and the presence of the airline's A350-1000 this year not only displayed a single aircraft but also demonstrated the carrier's ambition to extend its global reach.

Through the platform provided by the biennial Singapore Airshow, which will run through Feb. 8, Starlux said it hoped to attract more market attention to the development of Taiwan's aviation industry.

Starlux is the only carrier from Taiwan to take part in the airshow.

Starlux took delivery of its first A350-1000 in early January, making it the largest wide-body aircraft in the carrier's fleet. The jet features 350 seats across four cabin classes -- four in first class, 40 in business class, 36 in premium economy and 270 in economy -- with a maximum range of 15,600 kilometers.

The aircraft will be deployed on routes in North America and Europe, according to the carrier.

After the delivery, Starlux said that five more of the 18 A350-1000 aircraft it has on order are expected to be delivered in 2026.

Following the delivery of its first aircraft -- the A321neo -- in 2019, Starlux currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 30 aircraft, including 10 A350-900s, six A330neos and 13 A321neos, in addition to the new A350-1000.

According to Airbus, the A350-1000's new generation engines and lightweight materials provide a 25 percent advantage in fuel burn, operating costs and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.

Although Starlux was the first Taiwanese airline to take delivery of the A350-1000, it is not the only local carrier interested in the plane.

Taiwan's two other major international carriers, China Airlines and EVA Airways, have ordered 15 and 24 A350-1000s, respectively.