Airbus's backlog for the A330-200 freighter has further diminished after US lessor Intrepid Aviation pursued its plans to convert part of its order into the passenger version.
Intrepid had originally ordered 20 A330-200Fs, but cut this to 19 at the end of last year.
But Airbus's first-quarter figures show that, during March, Intrepid took off another four, cutting its order for the type to 15 and reducing the overall demand to 58 airframes.
Two of these four have been cancelled, while another pair appear to have been converted to passenger A330s, as Intrepid's entry shows orders for an additional A330-200 and -300.
The lessor had indicated last year that it might switch to passenger versions owing to delays in the Boeing 787 programme and increased demand for mid-sized jets.
Lessor Air Lease Corporation ordered a pair of A330s during March and these, along with a private customer's order for an A318, were the only new sales for the airframer last month.
They brought the gross total for the first quarter to 100 aircraft, with a net of 90. In contrast, rival Boeing, which is experiencing a surge of interest in its re-engined 737 Max, secured gross orders for 440 jets and a net total of 412 over the same period.
Boeing also outstripped Airbus on deliveries, handing over 137 aircraft against the European manufacturer's 131.
Source: Flight International
