Airtours International is believed to have selected the Airbus A330-200 for its long-haul fleet needs, and is in negotiations on an order for up to three aircraft.
The UK charter airline, based in Manchester, has been evaluating the Airbus long-haul twinjet, along with the Boeing 777-200IGW (increased gross weight), to operate services now flown by the airline's fleet of three Boeing 767-300ERs (Flight International, 15-21 October). Airtours is unavailable for comment.
Airtours also operates ten Airbus A320s and seven Boeing 757-200s. Flightdeck commonality between the A320 and A330 will enable crews to be requalified on to the new aircraft, and also to be rated to fly both simultaneously. Talks are under way with Airbus and International Lease Finance about the introduction of two to three A330-200s by early 1999.
Meanwhile, the airline also wants additional widebody capacity from late 1998, and is seeking McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30s on five-year leases. It is not clear whether the DC-10s are being sought for operation by Airtours itself, or if they will be transferred to Danish sister company, Premiair, which already flies five DC-10s.
Source: Flight International
