Spanish national carrier Iberia has reached agreement with Airbus to bring forward the delivery of the eight A330-200s it ordered last year by over a year. The aircraft will now arrive some 14 months earlier than the original delivery dates between December 2015 and November 2016.

The aircraft in question were originally options from a previous commitment that were converted into a firm order in September 2014. The first deliveries were always due for late 2015, but the original schedule had seen deliveries initially planned through to late 2017.

The new aircraft will directly replace the carrier’s older four-engined A340-300s, providing economic, environmental and service delivery benefits to the company. The more efficient two-engined aircraft have a much greater fuel economy than the A340-300s they will replace, a range of up to 13,400km as well as enhanced comfort and services for passengers.

The earlier delivery dates will also accelerate the ongoing process of upgrading of Iberia’s entire long-haul fleet with the new cabins, fittings, and entertainment and communications systems, to provide an improved customer experience. According to the carrier around 80 per cent of its long-haul fleet now boasts its new Business and Economy products.

The early retirement of the A340-300 fleet and induction of the new equipment will enable this process to be completed quicker, alongside ongoing retrofit work on Iberia’s 17-strong fleet of larger A340-600s, which will continue to fly with the carrier for the foreseeable future.

The new A330-200s are part of a long-haul fleet renewal at the Spanish carrier instigated by its parent company, International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG). This has seen commitments placed for 24 new widebodied aircraft, comprising eight A330-300s delivered in 2013 and 2014, the eight A330-200s and eight A350-900s to be delivered later.