Airbus offers longer-range A330 with increased payload

[alberttky 0]

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes is continuing to apply pressure on Airbus to re-engine itsA330 widebody, even though the company appears to be ruling out the option.

 

Fernandes, whose AirAsia group has several franchises in countries around Asia and is one of the most valuable customers for Airbus, is in Toulouse for "some important meetings" with the European airframer.

 

Both AirAsia and Fernandes have a stake in AirAsia X, the Malaysia-based long-haul, low-cost carrier that has a fleet of nine A330-300s. It has orders for another 18 A330s and 10 of the new-generation Airbus A350-900s.

 

But Fernandes has been pushing Airbus to come up with a re-engined A330, or an A330neo, for some time. This, he feels, will be a better option than the A350-800 that is slated to be a replacement for the longer-range A330-200. Last year, AirAsia cancelled its orders for the -200 variant as it feels that they are not economical enough for long-haul services to Europe.

 

But an A330neo would interest the airline, and Fernandes said in a reply on his twitter account:

"Yes, I want that plane. Honestly, don't think the A350-800 is a good plane."

 

He went on to say that the A330neo and A350-900 will be the "perfect combination" for AirAsia X.

 

Last week, Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said that he will push the company's engineers to look at adapting the sharklets – developed for the A320 narrowbody – to the larger A330 twinjet in order to improve its performance.

 

Airbus has been tweaking the A330's performance, unveiling a 242t maximum take-off weight version last year that it aims to deliver before mid-2015. But Leahy indicates that new engines for the type will be problematic.

 

"If you say 're-engined', then I'd say 'no'," he says. If the aircraft is already optimised, he says, "[you] don't put one of these heavy engines on it".

 

 

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airasias-fernandes-continues-call-for-a330neo-381272/

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

AirAsia X is the only LCC that makes 25 orders of the A330-300. The rest are full service airlines. No wonder TF making noise of it. For sure, it's not justify for Airbus just to attend to his demand for just one airline.

[alberttky 0]

Cebu Pacific also ordered A330-300.

[flee 5]

Tough call for Airbus. They obviously want to do their production based on the A350 to keep production simple. However, the economics for the A330 may be better for airlines due to its lower weight.

 

JL is probably trying to discourage customers by saying that the new engines are heavy. But how much heavier is the A358 compared to the A330neo?

[khairuddin abu hanifah 0]

Based on Airbus Aircraft Summary Orders and Deliveries as at 31/12/2012, Cebu Air has not made any commitment to purchase the A330-300 though it been announced by Airbus. The only confirmed orders by Cebu Air are 30 units of A321 and 23 units of A320.

 

However, there are reports announced that Cebu Air had signed lease agreement with CIT Aerospace to lease undisclosed units of A330-300 to be delivered between 2013 and 2014.

[flee 5]

Cebu Pacific's leases are believed to be 12 year leases.

[Syukri 0]

That is what AJ trying to do, but last I heard MAS still considering some technical aspect (actual performance) of the proposed Enhanced A330.. I hope they did not ruled out 773ER/X just yet...

Edited January 23, 2013 by Syukri

[flee 5]

 

First 242 tonne take-off weight A330 starts final assembly

 

Continuous improvement to extend the A330 Family market coverage

6 NOVEMBER 2014 PRESS RELEASE

The final assembly of Airbus’ first A330 with the new 242 tonne maximum take-off-weight (MTOW) capability is underway at the A330 Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France. The aircraft is currently completing its structural assembly before the cabin integration phase and will be used for certification flight trials. A second aircraft is being assembled in parallel which is destined for entry in service in Q2 2015 with launch customer for the new weight variant, Delta Air Lines.

Patrick Piedrafita, Airbus’ Head of the A330 Programme said: “I am very proud to see the first 242 tonne A330 at the final assembly stage only two years after launch. This newest, enhanced variant of our popular A330 Family is the basis for the future A330neo and is a concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy in action.” He added: “Airlines operating the new 242 tonne A330 will be able to carry additional payload on longer routes, while at the same time enjoying a very high operational reliability of 99.4 percent.”

Thanks to an aerodynamic package reducing aircraft drag and the latest engine improvements, the 242 tonne MTOW offers an extended range of up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption. The 242 tonne A330-300 is capable of flying missions up to 13 hours and 15 hours for the 242 tonne A330-200. So far, nine customers worldwide have already selected this option since the launch in November 2012.

The A330 Family includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,300 orders. Over 1,100 A330 Family aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous on-going product enhancements entering service in the coming years, the A330 Family remains the most cost-efficient and capable widebody aircraft, averaging operational reliability above 99 percent. These enhancements include the more capable 242 tonne take-off-weight variant (available for both the A330-200 and the A330-300), the A330 optimised for regional and domestic routes and the A330neo, The A330 belongs to the successful Airbus Widebody aircraft Family, which comprises the A330, A350 XWB and A380, and uniquely spans the 250 to over 500 seats segment.

Source: http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/first-242-tonne-take-off-weight-a330-starts-final-assembly/#open=galleries/photo-gallery/dg/detail/first-242-tonne-take-off-weight-a330-starts-final-assembly/idp/41229-a330-242t-infographics-hr/?return_id=3403

[kandiah k 0]

If MH is still to fly on long haul, would this aircraft be feasible for KUL-Europe or KUL-AKL?

[Josh T 0]

From AusBT:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/malaysia-airlines-eyes-airbus-a350-boeing-787-but-unsure-of-777x

 

We could have a decision about the B777 replacement next year!

Edited November 11, 2014 by Josh T

[BC Tam 2]

“Definitely we will have the money to buy them” Lee says. “As the national carrier we have 100% support from the Government, ......"

 

Any other Malaysian tax payer shuddered maybe just a little bit when reading that ?!

[flee 5]

Any other Malaysian tax payer shuddered maybe just a little bit when reading that ?!

Yup, that was the first thing that struck me - they still believe that they will never ever go bankrupt. When managers have that state of mind, complacency will prevail.... Scary!

[KK Lee 5]

Yup, that was the first thing that struck me - they still believe that they will never ever go bankrupt. When managers have that state of mind, complacency will prevail.... Scary!

 

More like arrogant than complacency.

[Amirul Mazlan 0]

With this kinda attitude they will keep on failing.. And we gonna have to pay for it

[jani 0]

From AusBT:

http://www.ausbt.com.au/malaysia-airlines-eyes-airbus-a350-boeing-787-but-unsure-of-777x

 

We could have a decision about the B777 replacement next year!

 

They have probably been saying this for FIVE years or more and I'm not even joking.

[Mohd Suhaimi Fariz 2]

PK's interview is obviously meant for Australian consumption so to judge him as a cynical Malaysian would is simply unfair. How else would he respond to questions about whether MH can get the funds to conduct the fleet replacement exercise - "We see howlah"?

 

Reading through several of his soundbites, the pattern is so clear: he's on a confidence building exercise.

 

As for the aircraft for the job, I'm pretty sure the decision about which aircraft to buy has already been made by the Aircraft Trading/Network Planning team. The problem has always been about the funding issue.

[Alif A. F. 0]

At least MH is making the right choice of buying medium-sized, long-range aircrafts, right?

[BC Tam 2]

Well, I for one think this Mr PK Lee has his marbles still - notice it's 100% support from gahmen, not guarantee

I suppose much like the 'support letters' for 1MDB bonds we are hearing about a bit of recently

[KK Lee 5]

 

As for the aircraft for the job, I'm pretty sure the decision about which aircraft to buy has already been made by the Aircraft Trading/Network Planning team. The problem has always been about the funding issue.

 

If the network planning team is good at their job, MH wouldn't need to cut routes and capacity.

 

Thought all big ticket items are all decided by RM PM?

[flee 5]

First 242 tonne take-off weight A330 successfully completes first flight

Key milestone for the latest evolution of the popular A330 Family

Paves the way for entry into service in 2015 with launch customer Delta Air Lines.

12 JANUARY 2015 PRESS RELEASE

The first 242 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) variant of the A330 has successfully completed its maiden flight, landing back in Toulouse-Blagnac Airport following a 3 hours and 30 minutes flight.

Didier Evrard, Airbus Executive Vice President Head of Programmes said: “I congratulate the whole team in charge of the A330 242 tonnes weight variant for making this day happen ahead of schedule. We are on track to deliver this new higher weight variant in 2015 to launch customer Delta Air Lines, who will also be the launch customer for the A330neo.”

The A330 242 tonne MTOW is the platform for the future A330neo and is concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy. The newest enhancement offers more capability at lower operating cost with a range extended by up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption while also benefiting from operational reliability of above 99 percent. The 242 tonne MTOW is capable of flying missions up to 15 hours.

More pix: http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/first-242-tonne-take-off-weight-a330-successfully-completes-first-flight/

[flee 5]

 

Most advanced A330 rolls out of paintshop in Delta Air Lines livery

 

9 MARCH 2015 PRESS RELEASE

New higher weight A330 variant paves the way for the A330neo

Just four months after entering the Final Assembly Line, and less than two months after its maiden flight, the first 242 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) variant of the A330 rolled out of the paintshop in Toulouse, France in Delta Air Lines livery.

This first, new higher weight variant of the A330-300 is powered by two GE CF6-80E1 engines and will be delivered this year to the new variant’s launch customer Delta Air Lines.

Delta Air Lines is a major Airbus widebody customer, with 32 A330 Family aircraft (11 A330-200s and 21 A330-300s) in service today and 35 more on order (25 A330-900neo and 10 A330-300). In addition, Delta has equally 25 A350-900s on order. Delta also operates 126 A320 Family aircraft (57 A319ceo, 69 A320ceo) and has 45 A321ceo on order.

The A330 242 tonne MTOW is the platform for the future A330neo and offers more capability at lower operating cost with a range extended by up to 500 nautical miles and up to two percent reduced fuel consumption while also benefiting from today’s A330 operational reliability of 99,4 percent. The 242 tonne MTOW is capable of flying missions up to 15 hours.

Source: Airbus

[alberttky 0]

 

 

ANALYSIS: Can Airbus challenge 787 with A330neo?

 

Airbus added a dash of spice to the mid-range, mid-size market with last year’s launch of an updated version of its best-selling widebody, the A330. But in a sector where there are already several established types, is there enough room for another big twin to be dropped into the mix?

The numbers so far suggest there is. Building off the back of over 1,300 sales of the baseline A330ceo, Airbus has racked up 145 orders and commitments from seven customers for the re-engined, Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered A330neo since launching it at last year’s Farnborough air show. Not only does this tally put the aircraft well on its way to Airbus’s publicly-touted 1,000-aircraft sales target but it also includes several blue-chip customers, including Delta Air Lines and Steve Udvar-Hazy’s Air Lease.

Continue reading at http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-can-airbus-challenge-787-with-a330neo-409962/?sfid=701w0000000uP3H&cmpid=SOC|Facebook|Flightglobal|sf8165349&CMPID=sf8165349

Could this be MH's 777 replacement?

[flee 5]

EASA certifies the latest and most capable 242 tonne A330 version

 

1 APRIL 2015 PRESS RELEASE

• Latest example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy;

• The most cost-efficient and reliable mid-sized widebody airliner;

• 242t A330 structure is the basis for development of the forthcoming A330neo.

The latest variant of the highly successful A330 – the new 242 metric tonne A330-300 – has achieved certification from the European airworthiness authorities (EASA) following a 100 hour flight-test campaign. Certification from the US authorities (FAA) is also expected soon. Furthermore, and in the near future, the smaller A330-200 model will follow the -300 by benefiting from the 242t take-off weight capability. To date 11 customers have already selected their new A330s to have a 242t capability.

Eric Zanin, Airbus’ Head of the A330 Programme said: “The latest A330’s maximum take-off weight capability of 242 metric tonnes, combined with various aerodynamic refinements and increased fuel capacity means that soon operators will benefit from an extended range of up to 500 nautical miles or carry greater payload. Moreover, they will do so with a fuel consumption reduction of up two percent – yet another concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy.”

The initial certified A330-300 242t aircraft is powered by CF6-80E1 engines and certification with the other engine types – the PW4000 and Trent 700 – will follow.

The flight-test campaign of approximately 100 hours was shared between two aircraft: an Airbus test aircraft (MSN0871) which was used to validate some aerodynamic refinements, and a new production aircraft (MSN1628) whose tasks included the validation of the *centre tank activation and overall performance effect on the larger A330-300 platform. Notably, the 242t A330’s structure is also the basis for development of the forthcoming A330neo.

The combination of the increased take-off weight, aerodynamic improvements and the optional fuel capacity boost – compared with the previous 235t version – means that the new 242t A330-300 is capable of flying missions of up to 15 hours, or carry more payload over existing routes. In practice this means that it will allow operators to fly directly between Europe and south-East Asia and could be used for more than 90 percent of typical routes from London airports.

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has attracted almost 1,500 orders and around 1,150 aircraft are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.

Source: Airbus

Improving performance with incremental innovation: The first enhanced 242-tonne A330 variant is granted EASA airworthiness approval

http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/improving-performance-with-incremental-innovation-the-first-enhanced-242-tonne-a330-variant-is-granted-easa-airworthiness-approval/

[flee 5]

First 242-tonne A330-300 is delivered to Delta Air Lines

 

 

Enhanced version allows longer flights at lower costs

28 MAY 2015 PRESS RELEASE

The first 242-tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) variant of the A330-300 was delivered today to Delta Air Lines. The Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.) – based airline is the first to receive the aircraft type from among 11 worldwide customers for the option. Delta has selected GE CF6-80E1 engines to power its new A330-300.

Launched in 2012 as Airbus’ latest evolution to the twin-engine widebody A330 Family, the increased take-off weight A330-200 and A330-300 incorporate a new aerodynamic package, engine improvements and an optional centre fuel tank (the latter for the A330-300 version). These upgrades on the A330-300 allow for an extended range of up to 6,100 nautical miles while offering up to 2 percent fuel consumption reduction. This incremental innovation to Airbus’ A330 Family received airworthiness approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in April 2015, and received parallel certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this month.

The delivery ceremony today at Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse, France, is particularly notable as the airline brought some 100 employees – each a member of Delta’s Chairman’s Club. The group is selected by their peers annually from 10-thousand nominees in Delta’s most prestigious corporate recognition program.

“Delta’s addition of this Airbus A330-300 marks a major milestone and reflects our continued strategy of making prudent investments in our fleet that enhance our customer experience and operational reliability,” said Delta President Ed Bastian from the delivery event. “Having our Chairman’s Club honorees, true examples of the Delta spirit of service, here to help us welcome this new aircraft into the Delta family makes this occasion even more special.”

“As the launch customer and launch operator of the 242-tonne A330-300, Delta is demonstrating its continued confidence in the performance and comfort of the A330, which has been part of the airline’s fleet for twelve years,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer – Customers. “The higher take-off weight allows the airline to fly both trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes, all in unrivalled comfort with operational reliability over 99 percent. The 242-tonne A330 clearly paves the way for the A330neo and A350 XWB to join Delta’s fleet in the next few years.”

Delta Air Lines, Airbus’ biggest A330 customer in North America, flies currently both Airbus single-aisle and widebody aircraft, including 57 A319ceo and 69 A320ceo aircraft, plus 11 A330-200s and 21 A330-300s. In addition to nine more A330-300s and 45 A321ceos still to be delivered to Delta, the airline ordered 25 A350-900 and 25 A330-900neo Airbus widebody aircraft last year.

Being member of the Airbus leading widebody family, and reflecting the market’s continued demand for high efficiency, comfort and reliability, the A330 Family has won more than 1,500 firm orders from over 100 customers worldwide and has more than 1,100 aircraft in operation.

Edited May 30, 2015 by flee

[S V Choong 4]

Why don't they just give it a brand name to differentiate from the old and existing A330-300E or 300X... "242 tonnes" makes no difference to laymen...

 

A330-300ER or A330-300ET (extra tonnage) something like that will help.