New time for neo

Airbus did far more than re-engine the A330 when it created the new engine option – neo – A330-800 and A330-900. With the latter well established and the former only just delivered, Paul Eden assesses the neo’s place in a transformed market

This Airbus A330-800, 9K-APF (c/n 1964) – seen departing Toulouse, France for the Middle East – was one of two delivered to Kuwait Airways on October 29, 2020. The airline is the first to place the shorter A330neo variant into revenue service 
All images Airbus

On October 29, Kuwait Airways received the first two of eight Airbus A330-800s, 9K-APF (c/n 1964) and 9K-APG (c/n 1969), it has on order. It was a significant event for the airline, but perhaps even more so for Airbus, since the A330-900 has so far outsold its shorter sibling by almost 23:1. One might conclude at this early stage in the A330neo’s career that the airframer miscalculated its medium twinjet offer.

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