Industry Airbus starts final assembly for the new A330-800

Airbus has started the final assembly for the latest member of the A330Neo family. The A330-800 is the smaller A330 family aircraft complemented by the A330-900. By the end of the year, the aircraft parts from various European Airbus factories will be assembled in Toulouse, France. The first flight is scheduled for mid-2018.

The A330-800 has a 242-tonne maximum Take-Off Weight (WTOW) and can operate on routes up to 7,500 nm. Additionally, Airbus launched a 251-tonne MTOW variant, which can fly ultra-long-range routes up to 8,150 nm. The model offers 260 to 360 seats and comes with two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The A330-800 and the A330-900 share 99% commonality by having the same airframe and engines. Both the A330-800Neo and A330-900Neo will retain the fuselage lengths of the current A330-200 and A330-300, respectively. The Airbus A330-900 has completed its maiden flight on October 19, 2017. Depending on their needs, airlines and operators should have the possibility and flexibility to use both models in its fleet. The series is equipped with curved wingtip Sharklets to provide the newest technology in aerodynamics. Both types of A330Neo will complement the Airbus A350 range in the lower capacity range.

The Airbus A330Neo program was launched in 2014, with the aim to modernize the existing aircraft family. To date 12 customers have placed orders for a total of 212 A330Neos. The largest customer of the new jet will be the Malaysian ultra-low cost long haul carrier Air Asia X which has ordered 66 Airbus A330-900. Until now, only Hawaiian Airlines has ordered 6 of the smaller A330-800.