Avianca A330s to bridge gap before 787 delivery

Surprise addition to narrowbody order to support regional and long-haul ambitions

Colombian flag carrier Avianca is intending to use the five Airbus A330-200s it ordered last week as interim transport ahead of the delivery of Boeing 787s, although the airline says that it could retain the twinjets beyond the introduction of its 787s.

Avianca included the A330s as part of a larger Airbus order primarily focused on replacing its narrowbodies. The carrier is taking 23 A320s and nine A319s, and has placed options on another five A330s and 27 A320s. The airline will also lease a further three A320s. Avianca says the aircraft will be delivered between 2008 and 2012.

"Our fleet acquisition is in parallel with the development of Bogota International airport into what has the potential to become the best hub airport in the region," says Avianca president Fabio Villegas.

Avianca has already ordered 10 787s, which will replace its 767s, and the A330s were an unexpected addition to last week's complementary narrowbody order. Villegas says: "We needed to bridge the gap before the delivery of the 787s starting in 2010 as our current long-haul fleet [of 767s] is not allowing us to compete efficiently any longer - we need higher capacities and lower seat costs.

"The A330 and 787 aircraft will allow us to recover and increment our positions in North America and Europe. For the domestic or very-short-haul regional markets we will continue to use our Fokker 50 and 100 aircraft," he adds.

Avianca plans new regional and long-haul destinations - including a new non-Spanish market in Europe - and will increase its Spanish frequencies, but Villegas declines to disclose details.

Avianca's sister airline, Ocean Air of Brazil, is expected to take three of the 787s and nine of the A320s on order. Both carriers are owned by Colombia's Synergy Group.

Source: Flight International