Corsair and TransAsia Airways get their first 330s

Corsair has taken delivery of the first of two A330-300s ordered from Airbus. The aircraft was delivered at a special ceremony in Toulouse today attended by Corsair Chairman, Pascal de Izaguirre.

This new A330-300 is part of TUI’s commitment to invest in today’s greenest aircraft and to strengthen services from Paris across the Atlantic Ocean, to the French West Indies, Canada and West Africa and to the Indian Ocean destinations The aircraft is the first to be delivered from the two A330-300s ordered in December 2010. It will enter in commercial service by end of this month .

“We are delighted with this decision by TUI Travel to buy Airbus A330 aircraft”, says Pascal de Izaguirre, CEO, Corsair. “We already benefit from an excellent performance of an A330-200s and these new A330 with a track record of unmatched efficiency, reliability and low operating costs will allow us to enforce our new strategy of operating the most eco-efficient and reliable aircraft for our network,” he added.

"TUI Travel is pleased to be acquiring the A330-300 aircraft which, particularly with its recently enhanced capability, is clearly the ideal aircraft type to be introduced to the Corsair fleet to complement the existing A330-200 operations. Airbus has worked closely with Corsair and TUI Travel management to ensure the success of this renewal of the Corsair fleet and has been proactive in recognising and addressing our requirements and developing the business relationship." Says Tom Chandler, Director of Aircraft Acquisition and Finance at TUI Travel PLC.

“The A330-300 is the aircraft which best fulfils airline’s needs in terms of range and capacity. It offers airlines unparalleled productivity, why passengers love the comfort,” said John Leahy, Airbus COO Customers. “TUI travel’s decision to acquire our mid-size long-haul star is a further proof that the A330 delivers exactly what the market needs.”

TransAsia Airways of Taiwan has taken delivery of the first of two A330-300s ordered from Airbus. The aircraft was delivered at a ceremony in Toulouse today attended by TransAsia Airways Chairman Vincent Lin.

The A330 will be the first widebody aircraft to be operated by TransAsia. Featuring a high comfort two class layout seating 300 passengers, the aircraft will initially fly on services from Taipei to Japan and Singapore. These will be followed by new longer range operations to destinations currently under consideration, including Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Middle East. TransAsia has selected Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines to power its A330s.

“The delivery of the A330 will further enhance our quality of service, as well as our passengers’ flight experience,” said Vincent Lin, Chairman, TransAsia Airways, “They will service TransAsia’s international routes, providing passengers a more comfortable journey with advanced in-flight entertainment technology and spacious seating.”

“We are pleased to welcome TransAsia Airways as a new operator of Airbus widebody aircraft,” said John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers, Airbus. “With the A330 TransAsia will benefit from the aircraft’s low operating costs, proven reliability and great passenger appeal - as well as high levels of technical commonality with its existing A320 Family fleet.”

TransAsia Airways currently operates scheduled services to 46 destinations across Asia with a modern fleet that already includes nine A320 Family aircraft. In addition to its new A330s, the carrier has orders for 18 A321s for future delivery, comprising six A321ceo and 12 A321neo.


The A330 is one of the most widely-used widebody aircraft in service today. Airbus has recorded over 1,200 orders for the various versions of the aircraft and more than 900 are in service with 90 operators worldwide. In addition to passenger and freighter aircraft, the A330 is also available in VIP and military transport / tanker variants.