A330-800 receives joint EASA and FAA type certification

The Airbus A330-800 has received joint Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States of America. The aircraft’s certification flight-test campaign was successfully performed by aircraft MSN1888, which completed the programme in 370 flight test hours and 132 flights since it was airborne for first time in November 2018. The A330-800 incorporates new Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new 3D-optimised wing and new Sharklets using lighter composite materials. Together, these advances bring a reduction in fuel consumption by as much as 25 per cent compared with older generation competitor aircraft of similar size. Certified initially with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 242 tonnes for a range capability of up to 7,500 nautical miles, the A330-800 will typically seat 220 to 260 passengers in three classes or up to 406 travellers in a single-class high-density configuration. To date, the A330neo Family has won 337 firm orders from 22 operators around the world.