Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and Tourism (MLITT) has issued Type Certification for the Airbus A350 XWB, enabling the A350 XWB first customer from the country Japan Airlines to operate the aircraft. The type certification covers the aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Airbus Japan President Stephane Ginoux said, “Receiving the A350 XWB Type Certification from the Japan’s authority is a great achievement. We are very pleased that Japan Airlines will join soon other world class carriers flying the world’s most modern widebody aircraft”.

JAL placed an order for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s) in 2013. It was JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.

The carrier’s first A350-900 is scheduled for delivery in the middle of the year. JAL’s A350 XWB fleet will enter service on major domestic routes starting with its Haneda – Fukuoka route from September, replacing older-generation widebody types.