Scandinavian Airlines has taken delivery of its first 242t Airbus A330-300.
The airframer confirms the carrier as the first in Europe to receive the higher-weight, longer-range -300 variant. Flightglobal's Ascend Fleets database shows that SriLankan Airlines and China's Hainan Airlines have also taken examples.
SAS has selected Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines to power the aircraft.
Airbus
Similar to the -200 with increased maximum take-off weight, the -300 variant incorporates a new aerodynamic package and engine improvements. Additionally, an optional centre fuel tank is available.
Airbus says these upgrades combine to extend range to 6,100nm while reducing fuel burn up to 2%, says Airbus. "The A330's higher take-off weight allows the airline to fly new Asian routes," adds Christopher Buckley, the manufactuer's executive vice-president for Africa, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
SAS operates 25 A320-family aircraft, four A330-300s and eight A340s, notes Airbus. In addition, the airline group is still to receive 30 A320neos, three A330-300s and eight A350-900s.
"We are making substantial investments in our fleet and network which means that we by far have the strongest intercontinental offer to and from Scandinavia," argues chief executive Rickard Gustafson.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
