Europe’s first Airbus A330-800 is on delivery flight for Air Greenland, which will become a new A330neo operator. The company also signed a Flight Hour Services (FHS) contract with Airbus, covering component supply and maintenance services.
The aircraft in question, registered OY-GKN and christened «Tuukkaq», will replace its existing 24.3-year-old Airbus A330-200, delivered new in 1998 to Sabena and then transferred to Air Greenland in 2002, christened «Norsaq».
Tuukkaq will have a high-density configuration for 305 passengers with Airbus’ Airspace cabin, divided into 42 seats in Premium Economy and 263 seats in Economy class. Configured in rows of 2-3-2 in Premium and 2-4-2 in Economy.
Where will Air Greenland’s A330neo fly?
Initially, it will be deployed on its main route between Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), Greenland, and Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark, a 5-hour flight. The Arctic city serves as a hub to other Air Greenland destinations, as it is the only airport currently capable of handling large aircraft.
The Greenland government is undertaking a modernization plan at several airports, including the capital Nuuk (GOH) and Ilulissat (JAV), which will have a longer runway extension, an upgraded instrument landing system (ILS) and new terminal facilities.
As a result of these modifications, these cities will be able to receive larger aircraft. Air Greenland stated that it plans to add new European and U.S. destinations in the next two years, which could be operated from Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk and/or Ilulissat.
Recently, they announced a connection between Kangerlussuaq and Billund (BLL), Denmark, between March 29 and October 11, to bring the Greenlandic community based in the Danish city closer together. The flights will be operated by Jet Time on Boeing 737-800 aircraft once a week.
«Many Greenlanders live in our catchment area, but there are also many who have other connections there, or simply want to visit and experience the beautiful scenery. So this is a very attractive route that we are proud to introduce together with Air Greenland.» Billund Airport CEO Jan Hessellund stated.
To carry out its fleet modernization, which will allow it to expand its network of destinations in Europe, the company plans to incorporate Airbus A320neo aircraft and divest leasing and wet-leasing contracts with other companies.
Currently, its fleet consists of seven 37-passenger Dash Q200 turboprops connecting the different communities in Greenland and Iceland, and one King Air for ambulance and charter services. In addition to several helicopters: seven Airbus H155s, two Airbus H225s and nine Eurocopter AS350s that will be replaced by the same number of Airbus H125s.
The A330-800, an unusual aircraft
The A330-800 had its first flight in November 2018, retains the fuselage length of the A330-200, but with Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines which, according to the manufacturer, reduces fuel consumption by 25% compared to the previous generation.
But demand for the -800 represents 3% of the market for Airbus, while the -200 represents 40% of the segment. Its longest-span model, the A330-900, won a large share of the generational replacement orders, as it offers better performance per seat from a higher capacity.
On the other hand, the aircraft it replaces, the A330-200, is still young in world aviation at ten years on average, according to Ch-Aviation. Also, the development of the A321XLR further sentenced the variant, as most of the routes for which the A330-800 makes sense are in the same range as the narrow-body aircraft.
Seven A330-800s have been delivered to date: two to Uganda Airlines, four to Kuwait Airways and one to Air Greenland. Garuda Indonesia has an order for four aircraft, but there is little chance of it materializing.
