Airline operator Emirates has cancelled an order for 70 of Airbus' A350 wide-bodied aircraft.

According to Airbus, the decision followed "ongoing discussions with the airline in light of their fleet requirement review".

Emirates originally ordered 50 A350-900 and 20 A350-1000 aircraft in 2007 and deliveries were scheduled to take place in 2019.

However, Airbus points out that the airline restated its confidence in Airbus products by praising the A380 and its operational benefits.

It also stated that it remains confident in its A350 XWB programme - the order book stands at a "healthy" 742 firm orders. Good progress is being made on the A350 flight test campaign and it is on track for Type Certification in the coming months.

Rolls-Royce, which manufactures engines for the aircraft, expressed disappointment in the news and said it would reduce its order book by around 3.5 per cent or £2.6 billion.