ATW Daily News

Airbus launches A330-200F flight test program

Friday November 6, 2009

Airbus yesterday operated the A330-200 freighter's first flight from Toulouse, flying for 4 hr. and reaching 41,000 ft. It expects first delivery to occur next summer to Etihad Crystal Cargo following a 180-hr. flight test program (ATWOnline, Oct. 30). It currently has 67 firm orders from nine customers. In addition, Turkish Airlines has signed an MOU for two of the mid-size cargo aircraft. "There are other ongoing campaigns in progress where airlines are showing serious interest in the aircraft," Airbus claimed in a statement. COO Customers John Leahy added, "We are at the eve of a market recovery and now is the time for airlines to prepare for future freight growth." Airbus forecasts demand for 1,600 midsize freighters over the next 20 years. The -200F is targeted to carry 64.5 tonnes over 4,000 nm. (7,400 km.) or 69.5 tonnes up to 3,200 nm. (5,930 km.). "Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability," the manufacturer said, noting that "compared with the. . .passenger A330-200, this. . .freighter version has an increased maximum-zero-fuel weight of eight tonnes to allow for high-density cargo configuration transportation."

Other headlines: