Airbus A330neo

A330neo
Computer rendered image of the upcoming Airbus A330-900neo
Role	Wide-body jet airliner
National origin	Multi-national
Manufacturer	Airbus
First flight	Expected Spring 2017
Introduction	Expected March 2018 with TAP Portugal
Status	Under development
Produced	2015-present
Number built	1 prototype
Program cost	$2 Bn (£1.18 Bn)
Unit cost	A330-800neo: US$254.8M (2017) A330-900neo: US$290.6M (2017)
Developed from	Airbus A330

The Airbus A330neo ("neo" for "New Engine Option") is a wide-body jet airliner currently under development by Airbus from the Airbus A330 (now A330ceo - "Current Engine Option"). A new version with modern engines developed for the Boeing 787 was called for by owners of the current A330. It was launched on 14 July 2014 at the Farnborough Airshow, promising 14% better fuel economy per seat. It will use exclusively the larger Rolls-Royce Trent 7000. Its two versions are based on the A330-200 and -300 : the -800 should cover 7500 nm (13,900 km) with 257 passengers while the -900 should cover 6550 nm (12,130 km) with 287 passengers. The -900 should be introduced in March 2018.

At the Boeing 787 launch in 2004, Airbus' response was at first an improved A330, but after negative feedback from airlines and lessors the A350 XWB became a new design in 2006. After the A320neo launch in December 2010 and its commercial success, Air Asia's boss Tony Fernandes said he would like Airbus to re-engine the A330. New engines like the GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 developed for the 787 could offer a 12%-15% fuel burn improvement, and sharklets at least 2%.

Airbus sales chief John Leahy's argument is that the lower purchase price of an A330 even without new engines make the economics of buying an A330 competitive at midrange routes with that of the Boeing 787. An A330neo would accelerate the demise of the A350-800, close in size. Airbus is also considering re-engining the A380, but is wary of having two major modification programs simultaneously.