TransAsia receives first wide-body jet
TransAsia has taken delivery of its first wide-body aircraft – an Airbus A330-300.
The aircraft was handed over to the airline at a ceremony in Toulouse on Monday, attended by the Taiwanese carrier’s chairman, Vincent Lin.
The A330 – the first of two such aircraft ordered by TransAsia – is equipped with 300 seats in a two-class layout. Initially it will be deployed on services from Taipei to Japan and Singapore, with long-haul operations to destinations in Australasia and the Middle East also under consideration.
“The delivery of the A330 will further enhance our quality of service, as well as our passengers’ flight experience,” said Lin. “They will service TransAsia’s international routes, providing passengers a more comfortable journey with advanced in-flight entertainment technology and spacious seating.”
“We are pleased to welcome TransAsia Airways as a new operator of Airbus wide-body aircraft,” said John Leahy, Airbus’ Chief Operating Officer for Customers. “With the A330, TransAsia will benefit from the aircraft’s low operating costs, proven reliability and great passenger appeal – as well as high levels of technical commonality with its existing A320 family fleet.”
TransAsia Airways currently operates a fleet of 17 aircraft – nine ATRs, five A321s, four A320s and one A330. Aside the second A330, the airline also has outstanding orders for 12 A321neos, six A321s and eight ATRs.