Intrepid Leasing, Flyington Freighters to be A330-200F launch customers

Airbus said it reached agreements this week to sell 26 A330-200 freighters, with 20 going to US lessor Intrepid Leasing and six to India's Flyington Freighters, marking the first sales of an aircraft type launched last summer.

The first delivery to Intrepid is expected in early 2010. "When we shifted our focus a few years back to widebody freighters, we began to keep a close eye on developments at Airbus," Intrepid Aviation CEO Ron Anderson said in a statement. "We are excited to be a launch customer for the A330 freighter. . .Its size, range and exceptional economics make it very attractive for airlines needing a medium- to long-range widebody freighter."

First delivery to Hyderabad-based Flyington Freighters, which becomes the first airline to order the -200F, is expected in the 2009 second quarter. "We ordered it because it offers us significant operational benefits and suits our business model," Chairman Venkattram Reddy said.

Airbus said the -200F can haul up to 64 metric tons over 4,000 nm. (7,400 km) or 69 metric tons up to 3,200 nm. (5,930 km).