Scandinavian Airlines will today become the first European airline to operate the long-haul A330-300 Enhanced.
The carrier will debut the aircraft on its Copenhagen to Chicago route this afternoon, with take-off scheduled for 1540 local time (1440 BST).
It will be rostered between Copenhagen and Chicago for a month, before flying from Stockholm to both Hong Kong, which launched this month, and Chicago.
SAS will take delivery of a further three A330-300 Enhanceds over the next half year, with another scheduled for delivery later this month, and two more in early 2016. SAS will also receive eight A350-900 aircraft from 2018 onwards.
Rickard Gustafson, president and CEO of SAS, said: “We are pleased to welcome our passengers on board our new A330-300 Enhanced.
“We are making significant investments in our fleet and at the same time launching new routes, giving us the strongest range of services to United States and Asia from Scandinavia. We are also lowering our fuel consumption as the new aircraft are delivered, which will help to reduce our fuel emissions.”
Earlier this year, SAS debuted its new-look aircraft.
Business Traveller
Hainan Airlines announces Beijing/Pekin-Tel Aviv flight
Hainan Airlines in summer 2016 season will commence service to Israel, as it plans 3 weekly Beijing – Tel Aviv operation. Airbus A330-200 aircraft is scheduled to operate this route from 28APR16.
HU7957 PEK0155 – 0810TLV 332 247
HU7958 TLV1435 – 0500+1PEK 332 247
Airline Route
Increased range A330-200 gets EASA certification
Airbus’ successful A330-200 has received EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification for the new 242 tonne Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) version, following certification in April 2015 (*) of the 242t A330-300. Certification from the US authorities (FAA) will follow.
Eric Zanin, Airbus Head of the A330 Programme said: “With this new 242t A330-200 our customers will benefit from even more range plus a proven 99.4 percent reliability, while offering their passengers best-in-class comfort. It’s unbeatable operating costs and unique versatility make the A330 Family a highly competitive solution in the medium to long haul market.”
The range of the new A330-200 242t increases by up to 350 nautical miles/650 kilometres compared to today’s 238 tonne model, allowing customers to fly missions up to 7,250 nm/ 13,400 km. Thanks to aerodynamic refinements and engine enhancements, operators will reduce their fuel consumption by up two percent.
Launched in 2012 and already in service on the larger A330-300 model, the 242 tonne variant is the platform for the A330neo – yet another concrete example of Airbus’ incremental innovation strategy.
The A330 Family seats 250 to 300 passengers (in a typical 3 class configuration) and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants. To date the A330 Family has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.
Airbus