Airbus A350 expansion for Aircalin and Emirates

Aircalin is set to introduce its first Airbus A350-900, named ‘Malaoui’, to its flight schedule this December. The aircraft will initially serve regional routes to Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland, replacing A330s with a 12% increase in seating capacity and 15% more cargo capacity. Starting in April 2027, the aircraft will be dedicated to the Bangkok–Paris route. The new plane features a three-class configuration for 325 passengers, including 4K screens and advanced connectivity.

Emirates will also deploy the Airbus A350 on its daily Dubai–Port Louis route starting November 1, 2026. The aircraft will replace the Boeing 777 currently used on the route, offering a three-class configuration with 298 seats: 32 in Business Class, 28 in Premium Economy, and 238 in Economy Class. This addition will complement the airline’s existing Airbus A380 services to Mauritius.