Avianca receives its first Airbus A330-200

On Friday the Colombian flag carrier Avianca took delivery of its first Airbus A330-200. This A330 is the first of ten aircraft of this type to be delivered to the airline. This aircraft is part of an Avianca order for 57 Airbus aircraft, which was signed in May 2007, and includes 47 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and ten A330-200s. Avianca also ordered another three A320s via leasing companies. Avianca’s main shareholder, the Synergy Group, has furthermore purchased ten A350XWBs.

The airline will operate the A330 on its intercontinental network to Europe, and on routes in the Americas. The aircraft will be able to accommodate 280 passengers in a spacious two-class configuration, and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent772B engines.

Avianca, Colombia’s largest airline, already received one A320 and three A319s this year as start of a complete fleet renewal programme. Until the end of 2008, Avianca will still receive another A319, one more A320 and one additional A330-200.

Source: Airbus