Airbus plans first A330 MRTT+ delivery in 2029
Airbus has confirmed it will deliver the first A330 MRTT+ from 2029, with the initial airframe awaiting its maiden flight in Toulouse. Thailand is the launch customer, while Spain negotiates for up to seven aircraft.
Airbus is to deliver the first example of an upgraded version of its A330 MRTT tanker and transport aircraft from 2029, according to Julien Puyou, who heads the company's widebody programmes. He confirmed the timing to the Spanish aviation publication Fly News.
The first A330 MRTT+ is currently in Toulouse and has yet to make its maiden flight.
The new variant is based on the A330-800. Because Airbus no longer sells the A330-200, the company says all future orders will cover the newer version only. Thailand placed the first order for an A330 MRTT+ in 2025.
Spain is in negotiations over the purchase of as many as seven aircraft. Four of them are earmarked for the Polish air force under a government-to-government arrangement, with the remainder intended for Spain. Two of the Spanish aircraft are to replace the Airbus A310s currently used for VIP transport.
Airbus has sold 91 aircraft of the earlier A330 MRTT version to 18 countries and delivered 67 of them. Six further A330-200s are still to be delivered to Getafe for conversion. A second conversion line in Seville is due to open in 2027.
Airbus has not announced a customer for the first aircraft to be handed over in 2029, nor has it given a date for the MRTT+'s first flight.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comAirbus liefert ersten A330 MRTT+ ab 2029 aus