Rolls-Royce expects Airbus to decide within the next year on plans for a longer version of the A350, according to comments from Chief Executive Officer Tufan Erginbilgic at the Farnborough International Airshow. The update points to a potentially important step for Airbus as it weighs changes to its largest jet program.
An extended A350 would represent a notable development for the widebody aircraft market, where airlines and manufacturers closely track aircraft size, range and efficiency options. Because the A350 is Airbus’s biggest jet, any move to stretch the design would signal how the company sees future demand at the top end of its product lineup.
Rolls-Royce’s remarks put a rough timeline on a decision that has drawn attention across the aerospace sector. A final design choice from Airbus would also be closely watched by suppliers and airline customers, given the long planning cycles involved in major aircraft programs.
The comments, made during one of the industry’s main global events, underscore how closely major aerospace groups are watching the next phase of widebody development. For now, the focus remains on whether Airbus will formally move ahead with the stretched A350 concept within that one-year window.
