Airbus launches improved version of long-haul A330 jets

AFP PHOTO

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom – European planemaker Airbus on Monday announced improved versions of its long-haul A330 series of passenger jets, allowing for longer journeys between major world cities.

Airbus, making the announcement at the start of the Farnborough air-show near London, said the change would lead to a five metric tonne increase in the plane payload and offer greater fuel efficiency.

“Airbus has decided to offer a further enhanced version of the popular A330 airliner by increasing the maximum take-off weight capability to 240 metric tonnes.

“This 240 tonne capability will be first applied to the larger A330-300 model and subsequently to the A330-200 and A330-200F,” the group added.

Airbus said the new models would bring “increased fuel efficiency thanks to aerodynamic refinements and engine enhancements.”

Entry into service of the 240-tonne A330-300 was set for mid-2015.

“In practical terms 240-tonne capability significantly extends the market coverage of the A330 family.

“For example, this newest A330-300 will now be able to connect to the following new city pairs: London to Tokyo; Frankfurt to Cape Town; Beijing to Melbourne; Beijing to San Francisco; Kuala Lumpur to Paris; and Los Angeles to Dublin,” Airbus added in a statement.