Airbus is set to deliver the first of six Airbus A340-300 Enhanced aircraft to launch customer South African Airways (SAA). The enhanced A340 model incorporates a series of mid-life update improvements to the 12-year-old design, which are also being applied to the A330 twinjet. The key elements of the enhancements come from new developments for the A340-500/600, and include the fly-by-wire controlled rudder, improved flightdeck features, an updated cabin and a rear crew rest area option. SAA's aircraft are equipped with the new CFM International CFM56-5C/P engine, which Airbus says provides 10% lower maintenance costs.
Source: Flight International
