Avianca takes delivery of first Airbus A330-200 aircraft

Colombian airline Avianca has taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This A330 is the first of 10 such aircraft to be delivered to the airline.

The 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 10 A330-200s. Avianca has also ordered another three A320s via leasing companies. Avianca's main shareholder, the Synergy Group, has furthermore purchased 10 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 two-class configuration, and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent772B engines.

Avianca has already received one A320 and three A319s in 2008 as part of a complete fleet renewal program. By the end of 2008, Avianca is expected to receive one each of A319, A320 and A330-200 aircraft.

Fabio Villegas, president of Avianca, said: "After the A320 and the A319s, which are already successfully flying within our fleet, we are very happy to receive the A330 for our long haul operations. It will perfectly fit into our existing fleet while providing additional flexibility in range and capacity."

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