FLEET - VietJet Thailand remains committed to replacing its fleet with 50 new B737-8 planes over three years

while accelerating plans to phase out its existing A320 and A321 jets to streamline costs. If the carrier gets A330neos from its parent, Europe flights are on the table for early 2027.

Aviator / Photo: Vietjet

Delta Air Lines' first A330neo makes inaugural flight

The first A330-900 widebody destined for Delta Air Lines made its inaugural test flight Tuesday from Toulouse airport. The highly fuel-efficient twin-engine jet, one of 35 Delta has on order, is due to be delivered to the Atlanta, Georgia-based airline in the coming weeks.
The A330-900 is the larger of the two A330neo variants that Airbus launched in 2014. The A330neo brings significant efficiency improvements while also introducing the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin, which offers the newest and most advanced in-flight experience with extra personal space, larger overhead luggage bins, latest generation in-flight entertainment system and state-of-the-art ambient lighting.
Incorporating the latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, along with aerodynamic enhancements – including new extended composite wingtips which provide 3.7 metres of increased overall wing-span, as well as increased lift and reduced drag – the A330neo is a more efficient aircraft, delivering 25% lower fuel burn than previous generation aircraft and the lowest seat-mile cost in its category. The A330-900 range is 6,550 nautical miles in a typical three-class configuration.

Airbus A330-900 receives EASA Type Certification

A330-900 ready for delivery to first operator TAP Air Portugal soon

The A330-900 has received its Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The Type Certificate was signed by EASA’s Certification Director, Trevor Woods, and handed over by EASA’s Head of Large Aeroplanes Certification, Ludovic Aron, to Airbus’ Head of Engineering for Commercial Aircraft, Jean-Brice Dumont. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification is expected to follow shortly.

"The A330neo embodies Airbus’ spirit of innovation. This new generation aircraft with unparalleled efficiency and flexibility from short to long haul routes has tremendous market potential,” said Guillaume Faury, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft. “We look forward to delivering the first aircraft equipped with the beautiful new Airspace cabin to our launch customer TAP Air Portugal in the coming weeks.”

In agreement with TAP Air Portugal, its first built aircraft served as a demonstrator for route proving around the world visiting more than 12 countries. Together with the two A330-900 flight test aircraft, the certification flight test campaign was successfully completed in around 1,400 flight test hours in under a year since the first flight on 19th October 2017.

The A330neo is a true new-generation family comprising the A330-900 and its smaller sibling, the A330-800, which will make its first flight in the coming weeks. The A330-900 in particular is the lowest seat-mile cost 300-seater which incorporates highly efficient Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new 3D-optimised wing and new sharklets with use of lighter composite materials. Together, these advances bring a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 25 per cent compared with older generation aircraft of similar size.

Passengers can expect the highest levels of comfort when flying on the A330neo, with the aircraft featuring the award-winning Airspace by Airbus cabin with newly designed sidewalls and fixtures, larger overhead storage, advanced cabin mood lighting and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity.

Operationally, the A330neo shares a common pilot type-rating with the larger A350 XWB, which facilitates minimum flight training cost and maximum pilot productivity. Maintenance personnel will also benefit from the aircraft’s new Skywise data connectivity features which will help them to predict potential issues before they arise, thus ensuring maximum productivity of the aircraft in revenue service.



The A330 is one of the most popular widebody families ever, having received over 1,700 orders from 120 customers. More than 1,400 A330s are flying with over 120 operators worldwide. The A330neo is the latest addition to the leading Airbus widebody family, which also includes the A350 XWB and the A380, all featuring unmatched space and comfort combined with unprecedented efficiency levels and unrivalled range capability.

Air Mauritius A330-900neo operation revision as of 31JUL18

Air Mauritius recently revised planned Airbus A330-900neo operation, as the airline schedules inaugural in November 2018, instead of October 2018. As of 31JUL18, revised A330-900neo service as follows.
Northern winter 2018/19 season from 28OCT18 to 30MAR19:

Mauritius – Antananarivo eff 18DEC18 1 weekly

Mauritius – Bangalore – Chennai – Mauritius 05NOV18 – 07JAN19 1 weekly

Mauritius – Bangkok 03NOV18 – 08DEC18 1 weekly

Mauritius – Cape Town 02NOV18 – 11JAN19 1 weekly

Mauritius – Delhi eff 15JAN19 2 weekly (1 weekly from 26JAN19)

Mauritius – Geneva 18JAN19 – 22FEB19 1 weekly

Mauritius – Hong Kong eff 04NOV18 2 weekly (3 weekly from 06DEC18)

Mauritius – Johannesburg eff 03DEC18 2 weekly (1 weekly from 15JAN19)

Mauritius – Mumbai eff 01NOV18 2 weekly (Additional frequency added 05DEC18 – 29DEC18)

Mauritius – Perth eff 01DEC18 2 weekly (3 weekly during following: 14DEC18 – 15JAN19, 28FEB19 – 30MAR19)

Mauritius – St. Denis de la Reunion eff 06NOV18 Average 1 weekly

Mauritius – Wuhan eff 02JAN19 1 weekly

Northern summer 2019 season from 31MAR19 (currently listed until late-August 2019):

Mauritius – Antananarivo 03MAY19 – 28JUN19 2 weekly

Mauritius – Delhi eff 03APR19 2 weekly

Mauritius – Hong Kong eff 31MAR19 3 weekly

Mauritius – Mumbai eff 03MAY19 2 weekly (1 weekly from 12JUL19. No A330-900neo service 31MAR19 – 02MAY19)

Mauritius – Perth eff 31MAR19 3 weekly (2 weekly 01MAY19 – 30JUN19)

Mauritius – Shanghai Pu Dong 05MAY19 – 30JUN19 1 weekly

Mauritius – St. Denis de la Reunion 03MAY19 – 30JUN19 Selected flights

By Jim Liu

A330neo arrives at Lisbon as route-proving begins

A330neo arrives at Lisbon as route-proving begins

Airbus's third test-flight A330-900, carrying the colours of launch operator TAP Portugal,
has landed in Lisbon after commencing the initial stage of route-proving flights.

For the first state of route-proving, is set to fly on to Brazil, visiting cities including Recife, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Miami.
Flight global
Photos : FPP
Lisboa

Airbus A330neo en route to function and reliability tests

Flying over European Airbus sites and visiting 15 cities worldwide to test aircraft readiness for airline operations
The A330neo, Airbus’ newest widebody aircraft, has embarked on a worldwide tour to demonstrate its readiness for airline operations. As a final step in the aircraft certification phase, these function and reliability tests, also known as route proving, will include ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) missions, landing at diversion airports and testing airport handling services. After a fly-past over Airbus’ European sites, the A330neo will head for 15 major airports worldwide over five continents, aiming at achieving 150 flight test hours in three trips.

The route proving tests are performed with the first A330-900 production aircraft, fully equipped with an Airspace by Airbus cabin and flying in launch operator Tap Air Portugal’s colours. The aircraft first flew on 15 May 2018, launching flight tests to check cabin systems such as air conditioning.

The route proving tests form part of the final trials required for aircraft Type Certification scheduled for summer 2018.

Today, two A330-900 flight test aircraft and the TAP customer aircraft are involved in the intensive flight test programme, which will reach 1,000 flight hours during the tour of the Airbus plants.

Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality. It builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation. The A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new wing with increased span and new A350 XWB-inspired Sharklets. The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities.

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE - A330-900 - F-WTTE - msn 1813 - "Airspace..."

Alain Charpentier - TLS

Air Mauritius to lease two Airbus A330-900neo aircraft from ALC

Air Lease Corporation (AL) announced long term lease agreements with Air Mauritius for two new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, outfitted with latest-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The aircraft are from ALC’s order book with Airbus and are scheduled to deliver in September and October 2018.

ARKIA goes long-haul and commits to Airbus A330-900neo

Airbus makes further inroads in Israel with its first widebody aircraft deal.
ARKIA Israeli Airlines, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for up to four A330-900neo aircraft. The commitment makes ARKIA the first Airbus widebody customer in Israel and the first customer for the type in the region. The aircraft will help ARKIA to expand their growing operations into long haul business and leisure markets with the world’s most popular wide-body. The A330-900neo is the most cost-efficient in its size category, offering a reduction in fuel burn of 14 percent per seat, an increase in non-stop flying range of up to 400 nautical miles and the lowest possible maintenance costs.

ARKIA’s A330-900neo will join the four A321neo aircraft ordered at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2012. With Airbus’ Cross Crew Qualification concept, pilots and engineers can transition from the single-aisle A320 Family, to the twin-aisle A330 quickly. Airlines can operate and maintain both types with the same pool of pilots and engineers. The A330neo also offers the latest in In-Flight entertainment either 4th generation or light IFE. Moreover, it offers connectivity to the ground should it be mobile telephony and internet access services and in parallel on board wireless services enabling passengers to access Wi-Fi content and services on their personal electronic devices.

“The A330-900neo will be a key asset to help us grow efficiently on highly competitive international long-haul routes from and to Israel. The A330-900neo will offer our passengers the latest product with great cabin comfort on direct, long-haul flights,” said Nir Dagan, ARKIA President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to the proven reliability and fuel efficiency of the A330 family, the A330neo will also ensure that our majority shareholders, the Nakash brothers and Jordache Enterprises, are super happy.”

Nakash Holdings is the private investment office arm of Jordache Enterprises (from the Jordache jeans fame). The company manages a multibillion-dollar investment portfolio including MG Aviation in Hong-Kong, U.S. POLO Assn, retail, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, hotels and real estate located in prime locations throughout the world. The real estate portfolio consists of retail, office, multifamily and hospitality properties. Among the group's recent acquisitions are the Versace Mansion and the famous Art Deco Setai Miami Beach.

“We are delighted to have reached this milestone with ARKIA. This commitment marks our latest partnership with a growing Israeli market and our first widebody aircraft deal in Israel. The A330neo is great for ARKIA and its customers and great for Israel,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “The combination of the A321neo with A330neo in ARKIA’s fleet will allow the airline to reap the benefits of Airbus’ unique aircraft commonality, offering unrivalled efficiencies, with the most modern, fuel efficient and streamlined fleet.”



Building on the huge success of the A330 Family with almost 1400 orders, proven economics, versatility and reliability, the A330neo will incorporate latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features.