MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC, the US investment fund, through an affiliate, has signed a firm contract for six A330-200 Freighter aircraft. The company intends for the aircraft to be used by certain of its airline portfolio companies, such as Varig Logistica in Brazil and Global Aero Logistics in the USA.
With this agreement the two airlines will become new Airbus operators. This new contract brings firm orders for the recently launched A330-200F to 72 firm orders from eight customers, confirming the strong market demand in the Freighter sector.
„We are very pleased to add the new wide-body freighter, the Airbus A330-200F to our portfolio, which will allow us to renew the fleets of our airlines“, said David Matlin, CEO of MatlinPatterson. „This aircraft’s superior payload-range capability and low operating cost are a significant improvement over the older generation aircraft that it will replace“, he added.
John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers said: „MatlinPatterson’s decision to select the A330-200F underscores its very robust launch, and is a great endorsement for our latest Freighter aircraft. It is a recognition of the opportunities the A330-200F offers carriers who want to optimize their freighter performance and develop their networks“.
The A330-200F is a derivative of the very popular A330 family operated by more than 60 operators worldwide. This will greatly facilitate the entry into service of the new all-cargo variant into existing A330 fleets. The A330-200F will also benefit from full operational commonality unique to Airbus thanks to the well recognised Airbus Fly-By-Wire technology, which also enables faster pilot transitioning to and from other Airbus aircraft, both passenger and freighter.
The A330-200F can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo over 4,000 nautical miles/7400 km in its standard version. When selecting the optional payload mode the aircraft can carry 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles/5930km. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes currently operated. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 percent more volume than any freighter in its class.
Airbus‘ modern and comprehensive product line comprises five highly successful families of aircraft ranging from 107 to 525 seats: the single-aisle A320 Family (A318/A319/A320/A321), the wide-body A300/A310 Family, the long-range wide-body A330/A340, the all-new next generation A350 XWB Family, and the ultra long-range, double-decker A380 Family. To-date, more than 8,000 Airbus aircraft have been ordered by more than 280 customers.
Photo: Airbus S.A.S. 2007 ©
