Airbus' latest plane has been cleared for take-off and will enter service later this year.
The A330-800 has received joint Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US.
The aircraft’s certification flight-test campaign was successfully performed by aircraft MSN1888, which completed the programme in 370 flight test hours and 132 flights since its first flight in November 2018.
It is part of a the new-generation A330neo family, and incorporates Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, a new 3D-optimised wing and Sharklet wing tips using lighter composite materials.
Together, these advances bring a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 25 per cent compared with older generation competitor aircraft of similar size.
The wings will be made at Broughton in North Wales and the engines at the Rolls Royce site in Derby.
It has a range capability of up to 7,500 nautical miles and will typically seat 220 to 260 passengers in three classes, or up to 406 travellers in a single-class high-density configuration.
The aircraft features an Airspace by Airbus cabin with larger overhead storage, advanced cabin mood lighting and the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity.
To date the A330neo Family has won 337 firm orders from 22 operators.
