Airbus: A330-200F first flight next month, EIS in summer 2010

Airbus yesterday said it is "quite optimistic" that the A330-200 freighter is on track for first flight next month, US FAA/EASA certification next spring and EIS in the 2010 summer. "We've done a lot of testing in the laboratory. . .so we are very ready to have a clean flight test program," A330-200F Project Manager Jens Knaack said during a conference call. The -200F is targeted to carry "at least" 64.5 tonnes over 4,000 nm. (7,400 km.) or 69.5 tonnes up to 3,200 nm. (5,930 km.). Knaack described it as a "general freight, high-utilization" aircraft. Airbus said that Etihad Crystal Cargo will be one of the first two customers taking deliveries in July/August 2010; it did not identify the other customer. In January 2007 it had announced India's Flyington Freighters and US lessor Intrepid Leasing as the A330-200F launch customers (ATWOnline, Jan. 17, 2007). It said it has agreed to reschedule Flyington's delivieries and declined to comment on Intrepid. Most recent order was placed last month by MNG Airlines (ATWOnline, Sept. 28). Airbus said it has firm orders for 67 from nine customers.

Originally published 30 Oct 2009 at: http://feeds.atwonline.com/~r/AtwDailyNews/~3/EKSAtaYvtaw/story.html