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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Airbus firms up extended payload/range A330s

Airbus has firmed up plans to increase the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of its A330-200 and -300 twinjets and will offer an increased fuel capacity option on the A330-300.
Confirming plans first detailed at the Farnborough Airshow, the European manufacturer will offer the 242 metric tonne versions from 2015 onward. The changes mean airlines will be able to carry more passengers and freight over longer distances.
“Overall, the full payload range now increases by around 500nm over today’s 235 tonne A330-300, and by around 350nm over today’s 238 tonne A330-200,” Airbus said in a statement.
It also plans to offer increased fuel capacity as an option on the larger A330-300, via a center wing tank. The longer-range A330-200 has the center tank and associated systems as standard.
The additional fuel capacity means that operators will be able to operate direct A330-300 flights between Southeast Asia and Europe. “For example, it will permit westbound direct flights such as Kuala Lumpur to Frankfurt or Paris, with the ability to carry additional cargo on the eastbound return flight,” Airbus said.

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