Description:
The Airbus A330 is a twin-engine, wide-body, long range airliner capable of carrying between 240 and 350 passengers over a range of 10,400 kilometers (5,600 nautical miles). It provides a high degree of comfort thanks to its spacious layout. The first ever A330 airliner, an A330-300 model, entered service in 1994.
Externally, the A330 is similar to the Airbus A340 excepting for the number of engines because both were developed simultaneously by Airbus to meet the requirements of extended and long range commercial aviation in the 200- to 400-seat category. The A330/340 family features optimized performance and design for lower operating costs.
The A330 airliner currently can be powered by Rolls Royce's Trent 700, General Electric's CF6-80E1 or Pratt & Whitney's PW4000. In addition to its seating capacity, the A330 airliner can transport cargo (pallets or/and containers) thanks to its voluminous underfloor holds. The cargo capacity is very appreciated because generates additional revenues for the airline. In fact, some airlines have operated the A330 as a freighter with cargo and no passengers onboard at overnight flights.
The twin-engine Airbus A330-200 entered service in 1998 offering longer ranges routes than its predecessor, the Airbus A330-300. It can transport up to 253 passengers in a three-class cabin layout or 293 in a two-class configuration over a range of 12,350 kilometers (6,650 nautical miles).
In October 2004, Turkish Airlines placed an order for 19 Airbus A320, 12 A321 and five A330-200 jetliners. General Electric's CF6-80E1 engine was selected to power five Airbus A330-200s. Deliveries were scheduled to run from October 2005 through 2008.
In November 2004, EVA Air of Taiwan executed an option for one additional Airbus A330-200 airliner that will join the 10 A330-200s already ordered by the company from Airbus (2) and GECAS (8).
Northwest Airlines placed an order for eight Airbus A330 jets, two A330-200 models and six A330-300s, powered by PW4000 series engines (PW4168A) on January 27, 2005.
On 14 June 2005, private carrier Jet Airways of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 10 firm order Airbus A330-200s/-300s with options on additional 10 airplanes. Deliveries were expected to begin in early 2007. Jet Airways will operate these airplanes in a 226 seats configuration with luxurious interiors on domestic, regional and international routes. Jet Airways A330-200 order was confirmed in October 2005. Pratt & Whitney CF6-80E1 engine selection was announced in February 2006 along with the engine contract valued at $300 million.
On 15 June 2005, Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines placed an order with Airbus for five A330-200s to operate on regional routes; five A350-800s; and five double-deck A380-800s. Kingfisher Airlines will use the A350s and A380s on international routes. Deliveries of the A330s were planned to begin in the third quarter of 2007. Kingfisher will take delivery of the first A380 in 2010 and the first A350 in 2012. In July 2006 Kingfisher selected the PW4000-100 engine to power its A330-200 fleet. The deal including 10 installation engines, 1 spare, 1 option, maintenance services and 10 engine options was valued at $300 million (over $500 with options).
On 21 July 2005, Air China and China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group (CASC) signed a purchase order for 20 wide-body Airbus A330-200 airplanes to be delivered from May 2006.
On 6 September 2005, China Southern Airlines along with CASGC placed an order for ten Airbus A330 wide-body airliners including eight A330-300s and two A330-200s. Aircraft deliveries were due to begin in 2007 and continue through 2008.
TAP Portugal announced its decision to acquire 10 Airbus A350 and seven A330-200 airliners beginning from 2007 to cover routes from Portugal to South America, North America and Africa. The acquisition agreement was made public on November 21, 2005. The A330-200s were set for delivery beginning in 2007 and A350s deliveries were expected to commence in 2013. Both aircraft were to be fitted with a two-class layout.
On 14 March 2006 Dublin-based Aer Lingus signed a an order with Airbus for two A330 airliners to be delivered in mid-2007. These aircraft, an A330-200 and an A330-300, were set to be powered by General Electric CF6 engines and delivered with a comfortable two-class cabin layout.
On 18 July 2006, Libyan-carrier Afriqiyah Airways ordered three Airbus A330-200s plus further three as option, six A320s and three A319s plus an option on five.
On 19 July 2006, Grupo Marsans of Spain and Airbus signed an agreement for the purchase of 12 A330-200s plus 10 aircraft options to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 747-200s. Aircraft deliveries were planned between 2008 and 2009.
On 20 July 2006, CIT Group Inc, a leasing company, signed a contract with Airbus for five A330-200 wide-body jetliners and four A320s at Farnborough air show.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2, Passengers 293
Dimensions: Height 17.4 m, Length 59 m, Wingspan 60.3 m
Weights: Max Weight 234 t, Min Weight 121 t, Payload 36,400 kg (80,247 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 144,000 lb (65,318 kg)
Performance: Max Range 12,350 km (6,668 nm), Top Speed 286 mps (Mach 0.86)
Algeria
Austria
Bahrain / 6 
Belgium
Brazil
China
Colombia / 10 
Cyprus
Egypt
Finland / 4 
France
India
Aircraft ordered by Kingfisher Airlines (10); Jet Airways (15)
Ireland
Italy / 12 
Lebanon / 4 
Libya / 7 
Netherlands
Oman / 2 
Portugal / 7 
Qatar
Russia
South Korea
Spain / 17 
Sri Lanka
Switzerland / 11 
Taiwan
Tunisia / 3 
Turkey
United Arab Emirates / 17 
United Kingdom
United States of America
Sold to Pegasus Aviation Finance Company (6); CIT Group (30); US Airways (15); Hawaiian Airlines (6)
Vietnam