Airbus has made adjustments to the payload capabilities of its A330-300 and A330-200 planes, bringing the maximum takeoff weight for the craft up two tons to a 242-ton maximum and adding additional fuel capacity to the -300.
The expanded capabilities will hit the market in 2015.
Airbus officials made the fuel-capacity adjustment possible by using a center-wing fuel tank for the first time. The tank had been in operation on the -200s, but was not in use on the larger iteration. According to an Airbus statement, A330-300 operators will now be able to complete long-haul flights, such as routes between Southeast Asia and Europe, with more cargo on board.
“The A330 is already a highly efficient and reliable
airliner, and we have taken it as our duty to maximize this even further,
along with range and payload increases,” Patrick Piedrafita, head of Airbus’ A330 program, said in a statement. “We are currently
delivering more A330s per month than ever before, and this is set to
continue, especially given the ongoing improvements we are introducing
to the airframe, cabin interior and engines.”
Airbus adds more capacity to 330s
