Airbus Formally Launches A330neo With ALC As First Customer
Airbus has formally launched the A330neo, a re-engined version of its oldest widebody in production. The aircraft is to deliver a 14% reduction in fuel burn per seat compared to the current aircraft. Airbus plans to deliver the first A330neo in the fourth quarter of 2017 following a development period of little more than three years.
The manufacturer is expected to announce up to around 100 launch orders for the aircraft throughout this week at the Farnborough Airshow. Over the past few months, representatives of airlines such as Delta, Air Asia X or Lufthansa as well as lessors such as CIT have been pushing Airbus to go ahead with the program, but Air Lease Corporation (ALC) became the first customer to sign up for the aircraft.
ALC ordered 25 A330-900neos that are to be delivered from 2018. “There is a compelling price difference between the A330neo and any other wide-body aircraft,” ALC President and Chief Operating officer John Plueger said. ALC Chairman Steve Udvar-Hazy said he did not believe that “Boeing can close the pricing gap.” The A330neo will be Airbus’ product offering competing with the Boeing 787-8 and, to and -9.