Airbus closes in on A330F launch
Airbus is poised to begin its assault on the mid-size long-range freighter market, as it finalises long-held plans to launch a freighter version of the A330-200 widebody. Airbus director of production marketing Didier Lenormand says a two-day customer focus meeting was held in Toulouse earlier this month to garner feedback for the aircraft’s specification. “We are not yet at launch stage, but are getting very close,” he says. However, Airbus chief operating officer customers John Leahy says there is strong demand in the sector, and does not rule out a programme launch at next month’s Farnborough air show.
The 64t payload A330-200F would fill the void left by the A300-600F that will cease production in July next year. The A330 will utilise the same 2.6 x 3.6m (8.5 x 11.8ft) cargo door as the A300-600, installed in the forward fuselage. The aircraft is set to enter production in the second half of 2009.
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