Flight International Online news 10:00GMT: Star Alliance carrier TAP Portugal is to acquire ten Airbus A350s and seven A330-200s, finalising its much-anticipated long-haul fleet renewal.
All-Airbus operator TAP Portugal will take delivery of its first A330 in 2007, while A350 deliveries will begin in 2013. Both types will be deployed in a two-class configuration.
The Portuguese carrier was also considering Boeing 787s to modernise and reinforce its long-haul fleet.
Lisbon-based TAP is not currently an A330 operator – its existing long-haul fleet comprising six Airbus A310-300s and four A340-300s - but the addition of the type will ease its transition to the A350.
TAP Portugal CEO Fernando Pinto says: “This order of Airbus A330s and A350s is a natural step for our airline, it will help build on our success and enable us to provide our passengers with extraordinary travel comfort.
The common Airbus types mean that TAP’s pilots will only require a single type rating, generating cost savings for the carrier. This selection will also minimise TAP’s operating and maintenance costs.
The 268-seat configured A330s will be deployed on TAP’s routes to South America, Africa and North America, responding to increased demand for these services.
The European manufacturer has now sold 143 A350s to a total of 10 customers.
VICTORIA MOORES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
