Airbus ends 40-yr career of A300
Airbus says last delivery of A300 to FedEx is an emotional moment and a natural evolution in the Airbus family.
By Agencies |
PARIS: Planemaker Airbus said on Thursday the last A300 wide-body twin-engine aircraft left its assembly line and was delivered to FedEx Corp.
The plane was launched in 1969 and entered service in 1974 with Air France. The A310 was then created in 1978 when a two-man glass cockpit was added, with first deliveries to Lufthansa and Swissair in 1983.
Airbus produced a total of 821 planes over the craft's lifespan. A third of Airbus customers operate A300/A310 planes and 200 of the 650 aircraft currently flying with 80 operators will still be in service in 2025. FedEx operates more than 120 of the planes.
"Delivering the last A300 is an emotional moment and a natural evolution in the Airbus family," Charles Champion, vice president for customer services at Airbus, said in a statement.
Airbus launched the A330-200F freighter in January this year to respond to future cargo market needs for longer range planes with more capacity and lower operational costs. It has picked up 67 orders and commitments from seven customers.
Airbus said it estimates the market for mid-sized freighter planes over the next 20 years at 1,600 craft.
The plane was launched in 1969 and entered service in 1974 with Air France. The A310 was then created in 1978 when a two-man glass cockpit was added, with first deliveries to Lufthansa and Swissair in 1983.
Airbus produced a total of 821 planes over the craft's lifespan. A third of Airbus customers operate A300/A310 planes and 200 of the 650 aircraft currently flying with 80 operators will still be in service in 2025. FedEx operates more than 120 of the planes.
"Delivering the last A300 is an emotional moment and a natural evolution in the Airbus family," Charles Champion, vice president for customer services at Airbus, said in a statement.
Airbus launched the A330-200F freighter in January this year to respond to future cargo market needs for longer range planes with more capacity and lower operational costs. It has picked up 67 orders and commitments from seven customers.
Airbus said it estimates the market for mid-sized freighter planes over the next 20 years at 1,600 craft.
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