The A350-1000 test aircraft, MSN065, successfully completed hot-weather tests at the Al-Ain International airport.
The tests took place from July 4-7, during which the aircraft underwent extreme weather conditions at temperatures above 40 C. The objective of the tests is to check systems behavior with a focus on the cabin, including cooling performance on ground.
The aircraft successfully cleared all the set parameters, demonstrating its maturity and readiness to operate in scorching weather conditions.
Airbus has been using the Al-Ain International Airport as its base for hot-weather testing for a number of years now.
The A350-1000 is the new member of the A350 XWB family, Airbus’ all-new mid-size long-range aircraft family, together with the A330neo, offering unprecedented levels of operating efficiency, low noise and true long-range capability.
The A350-1000 features a modified wing trailing-edge, new six-wheel main landing gears and more powerful Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines.
The A350-1000 embodies all of the fuel efficiency and “Airspace” cabin comfort of the original A350-900 — but with extra size perfectly tailored for customers on some of their busiest long-haul routes.
Scheduled to enter into service in the fourth quarter of 2017, the aircraft currently has a total of 211 confirmed orders from 12 global customers.
Airbus A350-1000 completes hot-weather test at Al-Ain airport
Airbus A350-1000 completes hot-weather test at Al-Ain airport
Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation
Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.
The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.
With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.
In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.
Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”
The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.
