Orders For The Twin-Engine Widebody Returning To Pre-Recession
Levels
Airbus says current A330 order totals have almost returned to
levels reached before the global economic downturn of recent years.
According to the head of A330/A340 marketing Crawford Hamilton, the
A330 has never experienced such a period of sustained high
production and consistent demand. "[There] is a simple reason for
this continued success: the best economics of its generation," he
said. "The aircraft is seen as a long-term investment by airlines
and investors."
Last year, a total of 87 A330-200s, A330-300s and A330-200F
freighter versions were received by customers around the world, and
the pace is continuing in 2011 with 22 deliveries as of March 31.
Airbus plans to raise the A330 Family's production rate to ten
aircraft per month beginning in the second quarter of 2013,
representing a two-aircraft increase from current levels.
The planemaker says the A330's position as one of the most
efficient jetliners in commercial aviation is being further
improved by Airbus, with an A330-200 passenger version now
certified for a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 238 tonnes -
translating to an extra 3.4 tonnes of payload capacity or a range
enhancement of 330 miles. Airbus also is launching an A330-300 with
a 235-tonne MTOW that is due for certification by the end of
2011.
In addition, the A330 is the initial long-haul aircraft
certified for Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance
Standards (ETOPS) of up to 240 minutes, which further augments its
routing opportunities.
"We are continually improving the systems, keeping the cockpit
and cabin state-of-the-art," explained A330/A340 product policy
manager Alexandre Podda. "The A330 was the first long-range
aircraft to allow passengers and airlines to use mobile phones on
board, and an Electronic Flight Bag system for pilots is available
- eliminating the need for paper charts and manuals."
Deliveries of the new civilian A330-200F version began last
summer, with this modern freighter aircraft now in the inventories
of Etihad Airways (for its Etihad Crystal Cargo air freight
operation), Hong Kong Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
The A330-based Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) achieved its
civil and military certification in 2010, with deliveries currently
pending for this new-generation aerial refuelling platform - which
has been selected in international competitions by Australia, the
U.K., Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.