Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) is expecting to deploy its maiden A350-900, A7-ALA (cn 6), into service to Frankfurt International on January 15 next year despite last minute delays in the aircraft's delivery.

CEO Akbar Al Baker told the Associated Press that a "small issue" had resulted in a delay past the aircraft's initial delivery date of December 13.

"This issue should be resolved very soon and we will be taking the delivery of our planes imminently," he said.

Once in the airline's hands, al Baker said, the A350 will be used on trial flights to London Heathrow where it will undergo noise emission calibration tests.

Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) experienced a similar last minute hitch with the Qataris ahead of the delivery of the airline's maiden A380-800s in July this year. At the time, final inspections revealed various flaws in three aircraft's interiors leading to a three month delay while repairs and improvements were carried out to the Qataris' satisfaction.