The Airbus A350 has taken off on its maiden flight, setting the stage for intensifying competition with US rival Boeing in the long-haul wide-body aircraft market.

Today's flight from Toulouse is to last about four hours and marks a key step on the path to full certification.

More than half of the A350 - Airbus's first all-new plane in eight years - is made up of lightweight carbon-fibre ,designed to save on jet fuel, which makes up about half the cost of long-haul flights

Boeing, still recovering from problems with the lithium batteries on its 787 Dreamliner, dominates the long-haul market with the 787 and 777.

Tom Enders, chief executive of Airbus parent company EADS, said: "The first flight is a very special moment in an aerospace company."

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