The origin of the A330 dates to the 1970s as one of several conceived derivatives of Airbus's first airliner, the A300. The A330 was developed in parallel with the A340, which shared many common airframe components, but differed in number of engines. Both airliners incorporated fly-by-wire flight control technology, first introduced on an Airbus aircraft with the A320, as well as the A320's six-display glass cockpit.[2] In June 1987, after receiving orders from various customers, Airbus launched the A330 and A340. The A330 was Airbus's first airliner offered with the choice of three engines: General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce.[3]
The A330-300, the first variant, took its maiden flight in November 1992, and entered passenger service with Air Inter in January 1994.[4] Responding to dwindling sales, Airbus followed up with the slightly shorter A330-200 variant in 1998, which has proved more popular. Subsequently, developed A330 variants include a dedicated freighter, the A330-200F, and a military multi-role aerial refuelling tanker-transport, the A330 MRTT.
Since its launch, the A330 has allowed Airbus to expand market share in wide-body airliners. Airlines have selected the A330 as a replacement for less economical trijets, and versus rival twinjets. Boeing has offered variants of the 767 as direct competitors, along with the 787 which entered service in 2011. Airbus's A350 also shares this wide-body airliner market. As of November 2022[update], the A330's order book contained 1,764 airframes, of which 1,555 had been delivered and 1,462 were in service.[5] The largest operator is Delta Air Lines with 61 aircraft.[5]
Replaced by A330-900 and RP-C3341 is now operated by SmartLynx Malta, RP-C3342 and RP C3344 is operated by US Bangla Airlines, RP-C3343 is operated by Air Transat, RP-C4435 is operated by Lion Air, and RP-C3346 (PK-LEY) on order. RP-C3347 and RP-C3348 was sold back to Airbus.
^McLaughlin, Andrew (18 September 2017). "Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley". AustralianAviation.com.au. Australian Aviation. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)