Air France Receives First A330-200
Toulouse, 17 December 2001
Air France took delivery today of the first of eight A330-200s ordered from Airbus. The aircraft was handed over to Air France President Jean-Cyril Spinetta by Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard during a ceremony held at the aircraft manufacturer's headquarters in Toulouse.
The newly delivered A330-200 will enter service with Air France by the end of the year on the carrier's Paris-Boston route.
"The introduction of the A330-200 takes us a step further in attaining our goal of rationalising and modernising our fleet with the most efficient products," said Air France President Jean-Cyril Spinetta. "Today's delivery of the first in a series of eight A330-200s illustrates the close ties between Air France and Airbus".
Air France has chosen a very spacious layout, seating six passengers in First Class, 42 in Business and 163 in Economy. Each class will benefit from state-of-the-art cabin systems for enhanced comfort and conviviality, with in-flight entertainment devices that include digital video and lap-top connections. The aircraft feature new seats, a lounge area as well as specific equipment for reduced mobility passengers. Air France's A330-200 will be powered by increased thrust CF6-80E engines from General Electric.
"We take great pride in handing over Air France's first A330-200 today, particularly given the current downturn," says Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard. "This delivery demonstrates Air France's foresight in modernising its fleet so as to be even more competitive in the future, by taking full advantage of the commonality that exists between the A330 and the A340 on its long range operations. Air France now operates all existing Airbus models and is a launch customer for the A380."
The Airbus A330/A340 Family aircraft are the world's most successful 250-375 seat airliners, with over 700 orders from 60 customers to their credit. They are also consistently preferred in independent passenger surveys.
With the world's most modern and extensive airliner family on offer, Airbus consistently wins about half of all new orders for airliners - with 100 seats and above, Airbus currently has firm orders for some 4,400 airliners and more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.
