TAP Order Replaces 12 A350-900s with 14 A330neos and Adds 39 A320neo-Family Jets

TAP Portugal has replaced a firm order for 12 Airbus A350-900s with a new order for 14 A330-900neo widebodies.

The A350-900 replacement deal forms part of a larger fleet-renewal order placed with Airbus by TAP Portugal. The order also includes 15 A320neos and 24 A321neos.

On November 13, 2015, Airbus announced TAP Portugal had signed a purchase agreement for 14 A330-900neo widebodies. However, the new order replaced TAP’s previous order for 12 A350-900s, which the carrier cancele

According to Airbus, the deal represents part of a fleet renewal for TAP Portugal announced by the airline’s new majority owner Atlantic Gateway.

“Our latest order for 14 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft and 39 A320neo family aircraft reflects our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with the next generation of fuel efficient aircraft,” says Fernando Pinto, TAP Portugal’s CEO.

“The A330neo, like the A320neo family, will give us the flexibility to enter new markets and improve the frequency of existing ones due to its combination of high reliability, low operating costs and exceptional comfort,” adds Pinto.

As part of an order for 39 A320neo-family jets on November 13, 2015, TAP Portugal specified 24 of the aircraft to be A321neos

TAP Portugal’s existing mainline fleet is already all-Airbus, the carrier currently operating 43 A320-family aircraft, 14 A330-200s and four A340-300s.

Airbus launched the A330-800neo and the A330-900neo as two new members of the A330 family in July 2014, with first deliveries scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The A330neo models will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, and will have aerodynamic enhancements and new cabin features not found in existing A330 models.

In addition to ordering 14 A330-900neo widebodies on November 13, 2015 (to replace a previous order for 12 A350-900s), TAP Portugal also ordered 39 A320neo-family single-aisle aircraft. Of these, 15 were to be A320neos

According to Airbus, the A330neo will reduce fuel consumption by 14 per cent per seat compared with the existing A330 versions. The A330-900neo will have 10 more seats than the A330-300, although it has the same cabin dimensions and overall fuselage size.

In addition to greater fuel savings, A330neos will also offer operators a range increase of “around 400 nautical miles” (740 kilometers), according to Airbus.

TAP Portugal’s A320neo-family order increases total firm A320-family sales to 12,324 aircraft.