First mainland airline to get new A350 by year-end

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE said it plans to deliver the first of its new A350 widebody plane to a Chinese mainland carrier by the end of the year, and it is bullish on the nation's demand for widebody aircraft, fueled by fast-growing long-haul international routes.

Hong Kong Airlines currently operates four A350s, and Cathay Pacific Airlines received its first A350-1000 on Wednesday, among its 20 orders. No carriers from the Chinese mainland operate the A350, the latest widebody aircraft of Airbus.

So far, Airbus netted 50 orders of A350 from Chinese mainland carriers. It received 10 orders from Air China, 20 orders from China Eastern Airlines, and another 20 orders from China Southern Airlines. Worldwide, it has received 847 orders from 44 airlines.