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| TAP Portugal A330-900neo. Photo: Airbus |
[Avionics Today 11-16-2015] TAP Portugal has signed a firm order with Airbus for 53 wide-body and single-aisle aircraft including 14 A330-900neo, and 39 A320neo Family aircraft (15 A320neos and 24 A321neos). The aircraft will join TAP Portugal’s fleet as part of its fleet renewal announced by the airline’s new majority owner Atlantic Gateway. As part of the agreement, TAP Portugal is replacing its previous order of 12 A350-900s with the A330-900neo.
TAP Portugal is an all Airbus customer, currently operating 43 A320 Family aircraft and 18 wide-body family aircraft. The A330-800neo and the A330-900neo are two new members of the Airbus wide-body family launched in July 2014 with first deliveries scheduled to start in Q4 2017. The A330neo incorporates latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features. The A330neo reduces fuel consumption by 14 percent per seat and operators will benefit from a range increase of around 400 nautical miles. The A320neo family incorporates new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations.