Airbus is offering A330 customers an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW) option to extend range and payload, which the manufacturer says will open up more nonstop routes between Asia and Europe.
The A330-300’s MTOW will be increased from the current 235 tonnes to 242 tonnes, enabling range to be extended by 500nm through the activation of the centre wing tank, a feature already integrated into the smaller A330-200.
Airbus believes the extended range capability will open up the potential for more nonstop A330-300 services between southeast Asia and Europe, and will also increase airfreight capacity.
The option will be available on deliveries from 2015.