FLEET - National Airlines takes delivery of first A330-300

National Airlines (N8, Orlando Sanford) has acquired its first A330-300, from Monaco-based lessor Stratos, the aircraft investment specialist confirmed.

N873CA (msn 1348) was sold to National and registered in the United States on May 28, ch-aviation research has revealed. However, the airframe has not been moved out of storage from Châteauroux Déols Marcel Dassault, according to ADS-B data.

“As part of our recent fleet modernisation and expansion plan, we are delighted to welcome another Airbus 330 into our fleet this week,” said Christopher Alf, chairman of National Airlines, adding that bringing this widebody to the fleet is “an encouraging response” to the rise in customer charter requests.

The airframe, formerly D-AAAS, is an 11.76-year-old A330-300 formerly employed solely by Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi), according to the ch-aviation fleets module. This carrier operated it between October 2012 and April 2022, and Stratos acquired the aircraft off lease on behalf of an investor and undertook an MRO project on it before delivery to National Airlines.

National Airlines' fleet currently comprises 10 aircraft - one A330-200, six B747-400(BCF)s, one B747-400ERF, one B747-400FSCD, and one B757-200. The company was recently reported to be looking to source additional B747-400 freighters.

 CH Aviation

Photos: National