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Delta Air Lines begins the final chapter in the drawdown of its international Boeing 747-400 fleet with the introduction of the Airbus A350-900 Monday The new Airbus aircraft enters service operating flight DL275 from Detroit to Tokyo Narita. A 747 operated the flight the previous day. "The A350 is a significant step forward for us into the international competitiveness of our product and service," said Ed Bastian, CE of Delta, earlier in October. The A350 has Delta's latest premium product, its business class suites, and new premium economy cabin in a 306-seat configuration - 70 seats fewer than on the 747 Airline executives have also touted the A350's efficiency and range gains over the 747 that will "meaningfully enhance", as Delta president Glen Hauenstein said, the profitability of its Pacific segment going forward. <br/>

Saudi Arabian Airlines said it will start flying regularly to Iraq Monday after a 27-year halt, state news agency SPA said. The carrier's director general, Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser, will accompany reporters and passengers on the first flight to depart from the Saudi city of Jeddah to Baghdad, SPA said Sunday. There have been no flights between Saudi Arabia and Iraq since former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait in 1990. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are both wooing Baghdad in an effort to halt the growing regional influence of arch-foe Iran. In August the two countries said they planned to open the Arar land border crossing for trade for the first time since 1990. <br/>