AIRCRAFT manufacturer Airbus has sold its first A330-200 freight carrier in Latin America.
Colombian flag carrier Avianca, part of the Avianca Taca Holdings group, has signed an order for four freighters which will be operated by cargo subsidiary Tampa.
The A330-200, whose wings are made at the Broughton plant, near Chester, will replace Tampa’s current cargo fleet and play a key role in expanding Avianca’s international cargo business.
AviancaTaca and its subsidiaries already operate seven A330-200 passenger aircraft and 81 A320 family aircraft.
Fabio Villegas, Avianca president, said: “As an existing operator of seven A330 passenger aircraft, we are confident these new freighters will bring us greater fuel efficiency, lower operating costs and improved environmental performance.”
Airbus spokesman John Leahy said the craft was ideal for hot and high destinations and longer transcontinental flights “without sacrificing payload”.
