CHINA: Air China Orders 12 Airbus A330-300s

The prices are based on an open market 2013 list which would be around $3.1 billion (nearly Rs 21,160.6 crore) on Monday.

Air China said on Monday it had ordered 12 Airbus A330-300 long-haul wide-bodied jets for $2.9 billion (nearly Rs 19,795.4 crore).

Air China, which is China's third-largest carrier by passengers, however, did not say in its statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange if the order for 2016 through 2018 delivery was a part of a deal for 30 A330 announced last October.

The prices are based on an open market 2013 list prices which would be around $3.1 billion (nearly Rs 21,160.6 crore) on Monday but Air China indicated it had been granted price concessions in the form of credit memoranda following negotiations.

The carrier, which had said it will pay for the new jets in instalments, had also indicated that the purchases from the European plane maker would "optimise its fleet structure" and strengthen capacity, boosting the latter by 5.6%.

Last October, China had confirmed an order for 30 A330 jets during a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, confirming an outline agreement from June in Paris.

The initial outline agreement was for the sale of 75 A330 to public holding company China Aviation Supplies (CAS) for a catalogue value of $18 billion (nearly Rs 1.23 lakh crore).

RWANDA: Rwandair Sign Contract With Airbus For An A330-200 And A330-300

RwandAir, the national flag carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for an A330-200 and a larger A330-300, at a signature ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda. With this order RwandAir becomes a new Airbus customer and is the first East African customer for the long-haul airliner. This agreement firms up a commitment announced earlier this year.

Aircraft deliveries will begin in the second half of 2016, enabling the country’s carrier to deploy its new flagship aircraft on medium and long-haul routes serving destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The two aircraft will feature a three class cabin layouts. The A330-200 will have 244 seats (20 business class, 21 premium and 203 economy class) and the A330-300 will have 274 seats (30 business class, 21 premium and 223 economy class). The aircraft will be equipped with Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines.

“As we look to introduce wide body aircraft for the first time into our fleet, with its proven economics, reliability and passenger comfort, we have found the A330 to perfectly support our plans to expand into Europe and Asia, to enhance our regional presence, to open up new routes and to grow our market share. We are also delighted to have these aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce, as the Trent 700 engine delivers the most efficient and reliable power, and will maximize the revenue earning potential of our new aircraft’’ said John Mirenge, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir.

“We are extremely pleased that RwandAir has confirmed its confidence in the A330, and are happy to welcome them as a new A330 customer,” said Christopher Buckley, Executive Vice President, Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. “Their Passengers will enjoy best-in-class passenger comfort that only Airbus offers as well as the newest state of the art in-flight entertainment system. Rwandair will be able to benefit with the A330s from the unique combination of unbeatable economics, versatility and fuel efficiency.”

To date the A330 Family, which spans 250 to 300 seats, has attracted more than 1,500 orders and around 1,200 A330s are flying worldwide with over 100 operators. Ever since the original A330-300 entered service, its hallmarks are its very efficient operating economics, innovative cabin features, while offering passengers much wider economy-class seats than any competing aircraft. Moreover, with numerous product improvements and with an operational reliability of 99.4 percent, the A330 is the most cost-efficient and capable aircraft in its class.