PARIS (AP) -- European planemaker Airbus said Wednesday that engineers are looking for ways to reduce the weight of the A350 XWB so that the long-range jet meets design specifications.
Available from 2013, the A350 XWB is Airbus' answer to Boeing Co.'s 787 and has been subject to a costly redesign after customers said they weren't happy with the original proposal.
Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath said technicians are making adjustments before the design is fixed at the end of the year. The planemaker could make up for extra weight with aerodynamic features or more energy-efficient engines to allow the jet to meet its operating targets, he said.
''That weight is a challenge in this phase of the project is normal,'' he said.
''Our goals in terms of performance will be reached. The production and delivery schedule will not be changed.''
The A350 XWB comes in three versions which are designed to weigh between 245 and 295 tons on takeoff and between 182.5 and 225.2 tons on landing, depending on the model, for a range of around 9,000 miles (15,000 kilometers), according to data available on Airbus' website.
German daily Handelsblatt, citing industry sources, reported Wednesday the A350 is around 8 tons over the planned weight.
Schaffrath declined to comment on the report.
Airbus has won more than 360 firm orders for the A350 XWB. Middle East-based MAZ Aviation on Tuesday announced a commitment to buy six A350 Prestige planes, the VIP version of the jet.
The plane is designed to carry between 270 and 350 passengers. The list price for the three versions ranges between US$209 million and US$270 million (euro133 million and euro171 million), though most airlines negotiate deep discounts.
