The first of Airbus’ forthcoming A330neo aircraft has begun final assembly at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Toulouse.
The aircraft will feature the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7,000 engines, and the all-new Airspace by Airbus cabin.
TAP Portugal will be the launch customer for the A330neo (the neo standing for New Engine Option), and is scheduled to take delivery of its first A330-900 towards the end of next year.
The carrier will also be the launch customer for the Airspace cabin, which Airbus says will offer larger overhead storage bins, “spacious and contemporary lavatories”, wider seats (18 inches in economy) and aisles, unobstructed under-seat foot space and LED technology ambient lighting.
A total of ten customers have ordered 186 A330neo aircraft so far, including Delta, Air Asia X and Garuda Indonesia.
