Airbus believes Guggenheim Aviation Partners' decision to shelve its remaining A330-200 Freighter orders was driven by opportunities in placing passenger rather than cargo aircraft.
The lessor had initially ordered six A330-200Fs, becoming a launch customer for the aircraft three years ago. However, it converted four of the freighters into the A330-200 passenger version and, according to Airbus's backlog figures for May, has dropped the remaining pair of A330-200Fs, adding a pair of A330-300s instead.
"This is probably a result of delays in the delivery of the [Boeing] 787 passenger aircraft, with the A330 being able to fill the gap," Airbus marketing manager for freighters Jonathan Lesieur says.
Global orders for the new freighter stand at 64 aircraft. The first is scheduled to join Etihad Airways' fleet later this summer. A further four A330Fs are to be delivered by the end of 2010, comprising a second to Etihad, two to lessor Aircastle - both bound for Hong Kong Airlines - and one to Turkish Airlines.
"Overall, our orderbook for the A330F has kept its shape and even grown over the past eight to nine months, and the outlook is very positive for this aircraft," says Lesieur.
Source: Flight International
