Starlux Airlines has signed a firm order with Airbus on March 19, 2019, for 17 widebody aircraft, comprising 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s.

The ceremony took place in Taipei, Taiwan, home base of Starlux Airlines, which will use the aircraft to develop a network spanning destinations across Asia and long-haul services to North America and Europe.

The A350 XWB features carbon fibre fuselage and wings, and new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, leading to a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions, according to the manufacturer.

Starlux had first announced its selection of aircraft, 12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s, at Farnborough Airshow in 2018.

At the end of February 2019, the A350 XWB Family had received 852 firm orders from 48 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.