CEO Says The Smallest Of The Series The 'Perfect Size' For The Airline

While Airbus struggles to keep its order book for the A350-800 on track, Hawaiian Airlines CEO Mark Dunkerley said that the smallest of the A350 family is the "perfect size" for the airline.

Dunkerley's remarks came in an interview at the International Air Travel Association general meeting in Doha, Qatar. Bloomberg reports that the -800 model of the A350 has been losing popularity ... and customers ... as airlines opt for the larger models of the airplane.

Also affecting buying decisions is the possibility of a re-engined A330neo. But Dunkerley said that he's sticking with the A350-800. The airplane "does three things for us," he said. "It has long range, it's slightly larger than the A330-200s which we fly now ... and it's more fuel efficient."

Bloomberg reports that the A350-800 order book has dropped to 34 contracts, while it has almost 600 for the -900 variant.

Airbus expects to begin deliveries of the -800 to Hawaiian in 2017.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.airbus.com