News
A330neo takes maiden flight
October 20th 2017
Airbus’ maiden A330-900neo departed Toulouse at 10am local time on Thursday. Read More » The aircraft manufacturer had originally planned the A330neo’s first flight for September, but a number of delays, including delivery of the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000s, caused the date to slip.
Airbus has yet to confirm a delivery date for the first aircraft, bound for TAP Portugal. The Star Alliance airline was originally to receive the first re-engined A330 in December.
But Airbus’ sales team still some work to do as global A330neo sales can be described as sluggish at best. The European OEM has sold 212 A330neo: 206 A330-900s and six A330-800s.
The tally could be reduced by 66 aircraft if AirAsia decided to convert its entire A330neo order to the A350.
In a Bloomberg interview, AirAsia founding father, Tony Fernandes, last week said the group was reviewing its future fleeting requirements, which could include a potential B787 order.
In the Asia-Pacific, apart from AirAsia, Garuda Indonesia (14), Aircalin (2) and Hawaiian Airlines (6) have ordered the A330neo.
Hawaiian Airlines recently said it was considering a potential B787 order after it emerged as the only customer for the -800neo. In an interview with CNN, Hawaiian CEO, Mark Dunkerley, said weak global demand for the -800 had lead Hawaiian to question whether the neo was the right choice.
