Airbus Defence and Space has today successfully completed the maiden flight of the first A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport for France. The aircraft, which will be known in French service as Phénix, is the first of nine ordered by the French Defence Procurement Agency DGA, plus another three expected to be confirmed. It is the second new standard A330 MRTT to fly, featuring structural modifications, aerodynamic improvements giving a fuel-burn reduction of up to 1%, upgraded avionics computers and enhanced military systems.
The aircraft was converted in Getafe from a standard A330 assembled in Toulouse. The crew reported that the aircraft performed in line with expectations during the 3h 25min flight. The Phénix fleet will be equipped with a combination of the Airbus Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS) and underwing hose-and-drogue refuelling pods, and can carry 272 passengers or be configured for medical evacuation. First delivery is due in 2018. Fifty-one A330 MRTTs have been ordered by eight nations of which 28 have been delivered.
Photo: Pablo Cabellos / Airbus
XiamenAir inaugural flight MF821 landed at Heathrow Airport on September 6, marking the launch of a direct round-trip service between Xiamen and London. The 12-hour flight departed from Xiamen Ga...
Lufthansa Technik and Emirates have reinforced their long‑standing strategic partnership with the renewal of a multi‑year agreement covering base maintenance services for Emirates’ Airbus A380 f...
Africa’s rapidly expanding urban youth population, rising middle class and accelerating infrastructure development are set to propel passenger traffic growth of nearly 6% per year through 2045,...
The Department of Civil Aviation Aruba (DCAA) and the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority (SMCAA) have signed a new regulatory oversight agreement that enables San Marino‑registered aircraft to conduc...
