SriLankan Airlines receives first of six new A330-300 on order
Posted by Unknown on Friday, October 31, 2014 | 0 comments
SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has taken delivery of its first A330-300 becoming a new operator for the type. The wide-body aircraft arrived at Colombo International Airport, having flown from Toulouse, France, and joins the airlines’ existing fleet of A320, A321, A330-200 and A340-300 aircraft. SriLankan will take delivery of a further five A330-300s.
“We have a reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety, reliability and punctuality; all of which are qualities reflected in selecting the A330,” said Kapila Chandrasena, CEO of SriLankan Airlines. “The addition of the A330-300 to our family will enable us to drive our offering to new heights.”
SriLankan Airlines and Airbus embarked upon a long-term, strategic partnership in 1993 when the airline began operating the A320 and A340. It has since grown to be an all Airbus operator, and is now an award winning carrier, expanding and diversifying its wide range of products and services to drive the country’s ongoing boom in tourism and economic development.
"Combining the highest levels of reliability, superior economics and great passenger appeal, the A330-300 will fit seamlessly into the SriLankan Airlines’ fleet,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “We are very proud of our two decades of partnership with SriLankan Airlines and that they have built their success on our aircraft.”
The A330 Family, which spans 200 to 440 seats, and includes Freighter, VIP, and Military Transport/Tanker variants, has now attracted more than 1,300 orders. Over 1,100 aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the world’s most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics. With numerous on-going product enhancements entering service in the coming years, such as the more capable 242 tonne take-off-weight variant (available for both the A330-200 and the A330-300), the A330 for regional and domestic routes and the A330neo, the A330 Family remains the most cost-efficient and capable widebody aircraft, averaging operational reliability above 99 percent. The A330 belongs to the successful Airbus Widebody aircraft Family, which comprises the A330, A350 XWB and A380, and uniquely spans the 250 to over 500 seats segment.
