Airbus Updates No.3508

 Air Belgium’s First Airbus A330neo Livery Spotted In Toulouse

Air Belgium’s first Airbus A330neo wearing the carrier’s white, red, yellow, and black livery has been spotted at Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Brussels-based carrier later this month and is one of two white tail Airbus A330neos procured by the airline.

Air Belgium’s first Airbus A330neo has now received its full livery. Photo: Airbus

Last week Air Belgium teased us with little snippets of its first Airbus A330neo in the paint shop. Now, the waiting to see the aircraft in its full glory is over, with Airbus publishing pictures of the shiny ‘new’ aircraft on its official Twitter page.

Showing off OO-ABG

Having hinted at the majestic nature of OO-ABG’s paint scheme last week, it was time to show it off to the world today. This morning, Airbus shared four images of the jet emerging from the paint shop. Previously the aircraft had only been seen in the open in primer, with only its engines fully painted.

Interestingly, unlike most new planes, this isn’t the first livery worn by this particular aircraft. The aircraft ended up as a white tail after Rwandair pulled the plug on its A330neo ambitions. The aircraft had already received the Rwandair livery at this point, so it had to be stripped before the new livery was applied. Air Belgium’s purchase contributed to Airbus having no white tail aircraft left on its books.

According to data from ch-avition.com, the aircraft is only 0.06 years old, having first flown on July 21st. Its confirmed delivery date is listed as August 2021, meaning that it should be delivered in the next 20 days. Once the aircraft arrives at the carrier, pilots will likely undergo training before it is scheduled to enter service flying to Mauritius from October 15th.

The plane is expected to be delivered by the end of the month. Photo: Airbus

The second aircraft due to be delivered is OO-ABF. This plane is 2.44 years old as it first flew in March 2019. According to ch-aviation.com, it isn’t scheduled to be delivered until December 2021, meaning the airline has a fair few months to get to grips with the type before this plane’s delivery.

Commenting on the first Airbus A330neo set to join the fleet, Niky Terzakis, CEO of Air Belgium, said,

“Air Belgium is very happy and proud to present these new aircraft in Belgium. They are the most modern aircraft that will operate under the Belgian flag… With the A330neos customers will directly benefit from even greater comfort and superior service on board, while reducing our environmental impact by 25%.”

Airbus Updates No.2836

 

RwandAir axes Airbus A330-900neo leases

Fleet of RwandAir© RwandAir

14.09.2020 - 13:41 UTC

RwandAir (WB, Kigali) has confirmed it has cancelled leases for two A330-900Ns and two B737-8s amid protracted delays in their respective deliveries.

“We can confirm that, as reported, RwandAir’s decision to no longer move forward with its order of two Airbus A330neos and two Boeing 737 Max aircraft is correct", Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Makolo confirmed to ch-aviation but declined to elaborate.

The A330-900s were ordered through Air Lease Corporation while the B737-8 MAX was due to be leased from SMBC Aviation Capital. All four were ordered in 2018 and were expected to have arrived in 2019. The airline had planned to use the A330-900 to start New York JFK services, but various delays meant none had been received by the time the pandemic happened, while the decision to can the B737 MAX was taken before the COVID-19 crisis.

According to FlightGlobal, Makolo confirmed ongoing talks with Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int'l) for a 49% stake in the Rwandan national carrier. She said the airline would review its fleet plans with its future partner. In the meantime, RwandAir will retain its current fleet status after having scaled down its network-expansion plans amid the current crisis.

According to ch-aviation fleets advanced module, RwandAir currently has six aircraft in active service, including one A330-300, three B737-800s, one CRJ900ER, and one Dash 8-400. Its only A330-200, one B737-800, two B737-700s, one CRJ900, and one Q400 are currently inactive.

RwandAir resumed scheduled passenger operations on August 1, 2020, and is gradually re-introducing its network in line with customer demand, focussing on restoring key intra-African routes, the airline told ch-aviation.

The latest routes to be restored include Abuja and Accra on September 14, 2020; as well as Lagos on September 18, 2020.

courtesy of CH Aviation website

Airbus Updates No.1945

RwandAir mulls A321neo(LR) or B737-7 for EU ops

RwandAir Boeing 737-800 © RwandAir

22.09.2018 - 04:48 UTC

RwandAir (WB, Kigali) is considering adding new generation narrowbody jets, namely either A321neo(LR) or B737-7, for its European operations during the low season, CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo told Air Transport World.

The carrier currently operates its only European service, from Kigali via Brussels National to London Gatwick, with an A330-300. Makolo said that while load factors in the high season are satisfactory, during the low season the Airbus widebody may prove to be too big.

RwandAir is looking to add two B737-8s from lessors in 2019, but this type would not have sufficient range to operate the European services.

The Rwandan flag carrier, whose widebody fleet currently includes a single A330-200 besides the A330-300, is also planning to take delivery of its two A330-900s in January and February 2019. These new generation widebodies would then be used on RwandAir's new routes to New York JFK (which is still pending FAA authorisation) and to Guangzhou via Mumbai Int'l.

Makolo also said that RwandAir is looking at launching its own MRO centre, but this would probably only happen after the opening of the new airport in Kigali in 2020.

Airbus Updates No.1390

RwandAir firms-up order for two Airbus A330 Family aircraft

Airline will be East Africa’s first to benefit from the A330s proven efficiency

9 SEPTEMBER 2015 PRESS RELEASE

RwandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for an A330-200 and a larger A330-300, at a signature ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda. With this order RwandAir becomes a new Airbus customer and is the first East African customer for the long-haul airliner. This agreement firms up a commitment announced earlier this year.

Aircraft deliveries will begin in the second half of 2016, enabling the country’s carrier to deploy its new flagship aircraft on medium and long-haul routes serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The two aircraft will feature a three class cabin layouts. The A330-200 will have 244 seats (20 business class, 21 premium and 203 economy class) and the A330-300 will have 274 seats (30 business class, 21 premium and 223 economy class). The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines. 

“As we look to introduce wide body aircraft for the first time into our fleet, with its proven economics, reliability and passenger comfort, we have found the A330 to perfectly support our plans to expand into Europe and Asia, to enhance our regional presence, to open up new routes and to grow our market share. We are also delighted to have these aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce, as the Trent 700 engine delivers the most efficient and reliable power, and will maximize the revenue earning potential of our new aircraft’’ said John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir.  

“We are extremely pleased that RwandAir has confirmed its confidence in the A330, and are happy to welcome them as a new A330 customer,” said Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice President, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. “Their Passengers will enjoy best-in-class passenger comfort that only Airbus offers as well as the newest state of the art in-flight entertainment system. Rwandair will be able to benefit with the A330s from the unique combination of unbeatable economics, versatility and fuel efficiency.”

To date the A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class. 

Airbus Updates No.1309

RwandAir selects the A330 for fleet growth and modernisation

New Airbus operator with commitment for two A330s

24 MARCH 2015 PRESS RELEASE

RwandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for two A330s. The agreement makes RwandAir a new Airbus customer and the first airline in East Africa to order the A330. RwandAir’s A330s will be delivered in the second half of 2016 and will be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines. 

“As we look to introduce wide body aircraft for the first time into our fleet, with its proven economics, reliability and passenger comfort, we have found the A330 to perfectly support our plans to expand into Europe and Asia, to enhance our regional presence, to open up new routes and to grow our market share,’’ said John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir.  

“We are delighted that RwandAir has confirmed its confidence in the A330, and are extremely pleased to welcome them as a new A330 customer,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “The A330 Family offers a unique combination of unbeatable economics, versatility and fuel efficiency. Passengers will be able to enjoy a new flying experience with state of the art inflight entertainment systems and best-in-class passenger comfort that only Airbus offers.”

Rwanda’s flagship carrier will deploy the new A330 aircraft on medium and long haul routes from their Kigali home base to long-haul destinations throughout Europe, the Middle-East and Asia. 

The A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, has now attracted almost 1,500 orders, with over 1,150 aircraft flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics, averaging dispatch reliability well above 99 percent.